“We Gain Nothing by Misleading Tamil People in the North” – Namal Rajapaksa

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka – Namal Rajapaksa, the Presidential Candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), has made it clear that under his leadership, police and land powers will not be devolved to the Provincial Councils. Rajapaksa made this assertion during his maiden rally in Anuradhapura, addressing a large gathering of supporters.

Speaking at the rally, Rajapaksa reflected on the political challenges that led to the fall of the previous government, which he attributed to a conspiracy. Despite the SLPP’s differences with certain policies, he emphasized that the party chose to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe to ensure the stability of the state.

“We handed over the government to President Ranil Wickremesinghe because it was necessary to protect the state,” Rajapaksa stated, highlighting the SLPP’s decision to prioritize national stability over party differences. “Although there were policies that the SLPP could not agree with, we still offered our support. We engage in politics with principles. We are a political camp that protects our values. Therefore, let’s move forward with a plan.”

Rajapaksa also reaffirmed his commitment to respecting all religions in Sri Lanka, particularly emphasizing the importance of upholding Buddhist values in the country. He categorically rejected the idea of devolving police and land powers to Provincial Councils, a demand that has been a longstanding issue in the political discourse surrounding the North and East of the country.

“We gain nothing by misleading our Tamil people in the North,” Rajapaksa declared, emphasizing the need for transparency in political commitments. “We must be transparent about what we can and cannot do.”

Rajapaksa’s comments come at a time when the SLPP is gearing up for the upcoming presidential election, positioning itself as a party that prioritizes national unity and integrity. His remarks are likely to resonate with the SLPP’s core voter base, while also sparking discussions on the party’s approach to ethnic and regional issues in Sri Lanka.