Anura Dissanayake – Leader of the National People’s Power
Gotabaya Rajapaksa had shown us that he is a very strong leader. Gotabhaya Rajapakse was well-known for white van culture and also as a person who kidnapped and killed journalists. But what happened? In the face of the biggest popular uprising seen in our lifetime, he had to flee secretly. He had the power of the President, the power of the Commander-in-Chief, the power to direct the police, a cabinet of ministers, and the power of two-thirds of the Parliament. His brother was the prime minister. The other brothers were ministers. Two sons were ministers. Even after all this, he had to flee before the power of the people. For the first time in Sri Lanka, they have shown that they are in power before the eyes of the people. But for a long time, the rulers had not allowed the power of the people to come out. They had created a set of people who live in fear not only of the minister, the member of the province but also of the member of the pradeshiya sabha. As a result of the rise of the people, a situation was created where the MPs could not at least attend a funeral house. Earlier, it was people who could not reach them, but now it is they who could not come to people.
What we should do is accumulate the dispersed power in an organized way. The aragalaya is a great inspiration. There was a great uprising of the people. But the result is partial. Ranil Wickramasinghe, who could not get votes to even come to the parliament, became the president. So, everyone has at least a little bit of disappointment. It is sad not to be able to reach the maximum victory. But the second uprising will take place under the leadership and direction of the National People’s Power. That’s why we need to be organized. Scattered agitation and booing can only express one’s anger and pain; The problem will remain unsolved. The real solution can be obtained only by building an organized power. Although many people are confused and worried, we are not. We are forming divisional councils in all grama niladari divisions in Sri Lanka.
Real achievement can be achieved if the people rise to a goal in an organized manner, with proper leadership, and with a proper purpose. If we look at the general election map, this president has more than two years left. Parliament is valid for a little less than three years. But we can’t wait any longer. The ruling parties have destroyed the economy of our country. Last April 12th was Black Day in our country. The Governor of the Central Bank announced a decision that we will not pay the foreign loans we have taken. That means that our country is officially bankrupt. Sri Lanka is now a swindler to the world. The situation is not simple. For a long time, we have been telling the people that the final consequence of this journey will be the bankruptcy of our country. Now, as a country, bankruptcy has been officially announced. Because of this, no country will give us a loan. They will just lend us small amounts. Even the beggars of Tamil Nadu send their collected money to our country. The situation the data reveal is alarming. A little bit of oil tanks reaching our country does not mean that the problem is solved. The amount of foreign debt due from April is 2490 million dollars. By March, the debt was paid and some oil was also brought. In September, there is only a little more oil without paying the debt. The reality is our economy is worse than in March. Every organization in the world has warned in this regard.
The Governor of the Central Bank had recently stated that the second uprising would be more dangerous than the first uprising of the people. The central bank governor told the country that there will be a second uprising because of food scarcity, and there may be great bloodshed in the country. Should we wait three more years for an election in this situation? Can anyone say that these rulers will solve the problems? If the child faints and falls at school if there is no medicine for cancer if the farmer does not have fertilizer, what will happen? Six hundred thousand people have lost their jobs in the construction industry alone. Despite the loss of money in the treasury, more and more ministers are swearing in and embezzling people’s money. We all have to start changing this situation in the country. We have to build a human life where people can enjoy a work of art and literature by discussing it with them. For that, let’s all come together to bring victory to the National People’s Power in the village and the country.
Tharaka Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law, District Executive Member of the National People’s Power
In any election, which will be held first, all of us in the National People’s Power pledge to win the Akuressa seat at the top. While following every step to suppress the government led by Ranil Rajapaksa, we will be continuing this journey on the democratic path. According to the Official Secrets Act, gazette notices were issued and high-security zones were designated. The rally of the Socialist Youth Union did not enter the high-security zones and the Kurunduwatta police were informed in advance, but a large number of people were arrested and brutally attacked. The Court has already granted bail to all those arrested. There are two ways to stop public protests. One is to allow the public to form a new government. Or instead of declaring high-security zones in several places, making the whole country a prison and issuing gazettes. People can no longer bear that much pressure and are taking to the streets.
Saroja Savithri Paulraj, National Executive Member of the National People’s Power
As a woman and as a mother, I have discussed this with many people. As a school teacher, I know the real situation of those children. It is not possible to hold a 15-minute morning assembly at school as students faint and fall. Earlier we used those children whether they had breakfast. Now a large number of people do not have not only breakfast but dinner too. Also, parents have not been able to afford bus fares to send their kids to school all five days. We are all gathered for the fight to win your child’s right to food and right to education. This is not a battle for personal privileges or rights. Now there is a set of people who have come together with understanding to truly find answers for the people who are under pressure as a country. Therefore, we are demanding to give the people the opportunity to form a government democratically. If not, it is emphasized that we will go to the streets and come forward to win our rights.
Veteran actor Dr. Prasannajit Abeysuriya
Our life, our future, our education, and our culture are all decided by a political party that comes to power. None of the political parties that have come to power so far have loved this country and its people. That is why this country has fallen into this situation and it has become a tragedy. In this situation, we realized that we are not doing enough to reach the people through our artistic work and creations alone. We understood that we must give our support to a clear political movement that loves this country and can rebuild this country. Therefore, we stood together with the National People’s Power in such a way that we could walk down the street without fear or shame. I personally took a decision that we did not regret that we made a mistake even at the last minute. Many artists have taken this decision. I appreciate the award from the people these days because of our politics more than the other awards we have received. We get that love from the people in a way that we have never received before all other awards. The people’s award is the biggest award I have received.
Sunil Handunnetthi, National Executive Member of the National People’s Power
The general public is now saying that only the National People’s Power can take over this country and build the country without theft, fraud, and corruption. We are asked about things like our foreign policy, economic policy, and foreign debt issue. People are gathering all over the country expressing so much faith in us. There are various leaders like Ranil Wickramasinghe of the United National Party, Sajith Premadasa who broke away from that party, and Maithripala Sirisena of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Earlier we were asked who is our leader like the leaders of new parties. Now they say to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, “we are ready to hand over this country soon. Accept it quickly.” People also have the question of who to vote for at the village level when it comes to an election. It started in Akuressa, to give answers to that question for the whole of Sri Lanka. Those who reside in Akuressa seat in Matara district have received the answer to this question. In the next two months, we are working on completing the executive councils in all seats in Matara district. In a National People’s Power government, plans are made to build relevant seats and solve people’s problems. Our general economic program is to build a productive economy and involve the people in it and provide benefits. Accordingly, a formal plan is prepared by collecting data in each electoral division. We are working to provide that example to Sri Lanka. We say that on the day we create a debt-free country, and on the day we create a free man, we all become the giants who strived to create such a country.
Upul Kumarapperuma, National Executive Member of the National People’s Power
As a lawyer, I think that the foundation of certainty in a country’s legal system is the main factor in building a country.
As of today, the question has arisen as to whether there is a law in this country, and if there is a law, what kind of law is it? Let me tell you a simple example from a point that we all understand. It takes at least 15 years to solve a child abuse case in our country. If a 12-year-old girl is abused, a complaint is made to the police, and after the police investigation, the investigation report is sent to the Attorney General, and after many years, the Attorney General’s Department submits an indictment to the High Court. By the time this process takes place, the child will be in her twenties. Will that child remember all this time about the crime which happened? And they are ashamed at a young age. Some evidence may have been destroyed. Eyewitnesses may die. Other evidence may be destroyed by that time. There are such big flaws in the legal system of our country. Also, appointments and promotions in the public sector are made based on political influence. This situation should be changed. Under our rule, no official of the government will be allowed to act in a biased manner. And don’t you feel pain when some of your friends leave the country every day? Let’s change this whole system. Here is the energy to change it, the honesty to change it, the ability to change it, and the power to change it. This country can be changed in five years with the correct system.
