“They Built a Criminal State; We Are Changing It” – President

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has launched a strong attack on the Opposition, accusing rival political groups of protecting those responsible for corruption and criminal activity while warning that undisciplined political protests could create instability and harm the country.

Addressing the 37th Il Maha Weer Samaruma, the President said his Government remained firmly committed to building a just society for the country and its people, insisting that the struggle to achieve that goal had not ended with the change of government in 2024.

"Our unwavering mission is to build a just society for this country and its people. Before 2024, we fought to secure political power to achieve that goal. Since 2024, we have been fighting to fulfil that very mission. We have never abandoned our determination, and we continue to possess the perseverance and commitment needed to see it through," he said.

Turning his attention to the Opposition, Dissanayake questioned why political groups that contested separately during the 2024 Presidential Election were now being pushed to unite.

He claimed the growing calls for political unity reflected the Opposition's realisation that the National People's Power (NPP) had established itself as a formidable political force, with no immediate prospect of being defeated.

The President also drew a sharp distinction between the Government and the Opposition, saying the two camps now had clearly defined political identities and fundamentally different approaches to governance.

"There will be no protection for fraudsters and the corrupt anymore," he declared.

He accused previous political administrations of engaging in corruption and attempting to shield those responsible, while maintaining that his Government was committed to ending corruption and holding those involved accountable.

"They engaged in corruption, and they now seek to protect those responsible. We have put an end to corruption and are working to bring the corrupt to justice," he said.

Dissanayake further accused previous governments of creating a system that enabled criminal activity and promoting family-centred, corrupt governance, contrasting it with his administration's stated commitment to protecting the democratic rights of the people.

He also criticised the use of racism and religious extremism for political purposes, saying his Government stood for national unity and the religious rights of all communities.

"They exploited racism and religious extremism for political gain. We stand for national unity and the religious rights of all communities," he said.

The President also took aim at what he described as the reliance on superstition and occult practices in politics, insisting that the country's future should be built on modern technology, science and knowledge.

He claimed the political divide in the country was becoming increasingly visible, with sections of the media also aligning themselves with opposing political camps.

Without naming specific media organisations, Dissanayake accused certain media institutions of representing what he described as a destructive political camp. He also referred to the involvement of some Buddhist monks in the growing political divide.

Describing the balance of political power as heavily tilted in favour of the Government, the President characterised the situation as an 80-to-20 divide, arguing that the weaker political camp was becoming increasingly unsettled.

"When a group becomes weakened, it often loses its sense of direction. It no longer knows what to do. It has no clear line, no target and no plan. It becomes disoriented. Today, a significant section of the weaker political camp has fallen into precisely that state," he said.

He pointed to recent protests and confrontations at various locations, questioning whether such actions offered any clear political direction.

The President referred to incidents involving fasts unto death and individuals brandishing poles, saying such developments left the public uncertain about what could happen next.

He warned that this unpredictable political atmosphere was harmful to the country and its people.

While emphasising that his Government welcomed criticism, Dissanayake insisted that political opposition should be organised, disciplined and guided by a clear vision.

"We welcome criticism of the Government when it is guided by a vision and carried out in a disciplined and organised manner. However, protests that leave people wondering what harm might be caused to the country and its people the following day cannot be justified," he said.

He went on to describe such actions as conspiratorial, warning of the potential damage they could inflict on the country.

The President called on the public to remain alert and resist being drawn into what he described as political anarchy.

He said the National People's Power and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna must strengthen their role as an organised political movement capable of providing disciplined leadership and guiding the country through its ongoing transformation.