No politics of racism under NPP, says Deputy Defence Minister
COLOMBO ‒ Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said the National People’s Power (NPP) government has not pursued divisive ethnic politics, claiming President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was warmly received during his recent visit to Jaffna because he brought “development plans, not political slogans”.
Jayasekara was responding to an oral question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Kalutara District MP Ajith P. Perera, in Parliament on Thursday (6).
He said the President’s visit to the Northern Province focused on addressing people’s needs rather than promoting contentious political issues. “When President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited Jaffna, he did not bring the 13th Amendment or federalism. He brought good plans,” he said, adding “That is why the Tamil people welcomed him warmly. We did not engage in politics by highlighting racism”.
The Deputy Minister also outlined the activities of the Api Wenuwen Api Fund, which was established under the Api Wenuwen Api Fund Act, No. 6 of 2008, to support the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and the Police.
He said the fund had accumulated assets amounting to approximately Rs 1.986 billion as of July 31, 2026, and has been used to provide assistance for the construction and renovation of houses for eligible service personnel and police officers.
Jayasekara added that the government also plans to improve infrastructure and basic facilities in military housing schemes, including the Ranajayapura Housing Project, noting that several such settlements established in the past lacked adequate public amenities.
Addressing a question by Perera on whether the fund could be used to prevent the recurrence of conflict in the North, Jayasekara said the objective of the fund was to promote the welfare of security personnel and not to address broader political issues.
“How can this fund be used to prevent another war? In the past, ethnic divisions were created and exploited to fuel conflict. That is not the situation today,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said he had recently visited Mullaitivu, Mannar and Jaffna, where he met residents and discussed their concerns.
“Appropriate measures are being taken to resolve the basic issues faced by the people in those areas,” he said, urging the opposition to raise questions “responsibly and practically” in Parliament.
-ENCL
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