President pledges to build unified Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake 

• Urges people to support and vote NPP, positioning it as best choice for united, progressive Sri Lanka
• Observes that rival political parties are already showing signs of conceding defeat, based on their lacklustre campaigns
• Addresses long-standing divisions between communities, asserting only NPP can foster true unity among all ethnic groups
• Commits to creating a legal system where all citizens are treated equally, signalling potential reforms to restrictive laws to build national unity

National People’s Party (NPP) leader and incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reiterated his vision for a unified Sri Lanka, where every citizen can proudly declare “I am Sri Lankan”, fostering a sense of national identity and belonging among all communities.

Addressing an NPP rally in Trincomalee yesterday, he emphasised the historic opportunity presented by the NPP’s victory in the recent Presidential election, describing it as the strongest shift in Sri Lankan politics aimed at fostering national unity and systemic change.

“We are building a country where everyone feels a sense of being a Sri Lankan,” President Dissanayake declared, speaking to a large crowd of supporters in Trincomalee. He pointed out that the NPP’s win at the Presidential election marked the beginning of a new era, and within a short period, Parliament was dissolved to give citizens the power to form a new Government.

He noted that the current transitional Government, consisting of only three members, is responsible for maintaining essential public services, managing the economy, and ensuring national security until the upcoming General Election, which is set to reshape the political landscape.

President Dissanayake noted that after the General Election on 14 November, the NPP plans to form a Government with fewer than 25 Cabinet Ministers, a radical departure from previous administrations known for their bloated ministerial positions.

The President was adamant about the need to rebuild Parliament with a team of honest and uncorrupted individuals. “The former Parliament was opposed and despised by all the people,” Dissanayake said, stressing the urgency of renewing the institution. He praised the voluntary departure of 62 former Members of Parliament, emphasising the need to fill these vacancies with persons who are capable of meeting the people’s challenges and restoring trust in Government.

He called on the people of the Trincomalee district to contribute their best effort to ensure a decisive victory for the NPP in the General Election. He said the party was already witnessing the acceptance of defeat by other political factions, evident from their lacklustre campaigns.

During the rally, Dissanayake also addressed one of the key issues Sri Lanka faces – the division between the Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities. According to him, mistrust, hatred, and suspicion have plagued the country for a long time, especially after the end of the civil war and since 2015. However, he argued that only the NPP can foster a Government that all ethnic groups – Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim – trust and support because it is the party that represents true national unity. “The NPP is the unity party of the Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims,” he proclaimed. 

He pointed to a growing sense of trust towards the NPP in the North, particularly following the party’s victory in the Presidential election. He expressed optimism that the upcoming General Election will see all communities coming together under the NPP’s leadership.

One of the central themes of President Dissanayake’s speech was the creation of a Sri Lanka where all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or background, are treated equally under the law. He acknowledged that certain restrictive laws might need to be changed to achieve this vision, but assured the people that his Government would work towards building a country that fosters national pride and unity.

“We are building a country with a law that applies equally to all Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims,” Dissanayake said. He stressed that the Government of the NPP is focused on creating a Sri Lanka where everyone can proudly identify as Sri Lankan.

Looking ahead, the President reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to continue this journey of rebuilding Sri Lanka through strategic reforms and inclusivity. He made it clear that this election was not just about political victory, but about long-term transformation, ensuring a prosperous and harmonious future for all citizens.

The rally concluded with a strong call to action for the people of Trincomalee and across the nation to support the NPP in the upcoming General Election, positioning the party as the only viable choice for a unified, progressive Sri Lanka.