AKD calls for end to dynasty politics as Namal invokes Nelson Mandela

Politics
By Editor_1
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing the National Steering Council for the eradication of the drug menace, held at the Presidential Secretariat on July 2, 2026. Addressing a public rally in Kahatagasdigiliya on Sunday (September 13, 2026) the President said the country needed to break away from entrenched political traditions and bring about far-reaching changes to its political, social and economic systems - PMD/File

COLOMBO – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday (13) called for a fundamental transformation of Sri Lanka’s political culture, questioning the long-standing practice of political power being passed from father to son.

Addressing a public rally in Kahatagasdigiliya, the President said the country needed to break away from entrenched political traditions and bring about far-reaching changes to its political, social and economic systems.

“Some thought that when the father becomes president, the son should also become president. We need to change that,” President Dissanayake said.

Rejecting suggestions that the government was facing political instability or threats, he insisted that the administration had no reason to fear.  Questioning, “Do we have threats? Is that why we are holding rallies?” he reiterated that the government has no threats, stating, “We are not scared”.

Dissanayake said Sri Lanka required a strong public movement to rebuild the country and bring about a decisive break from the political culture of the past.

“We need to rebuild the country and change the political culture. We need a political transformation. We need major changes in society, the economy and politics,” he said.

Criticising previous political practices, President Dissanayake said politicians had traditionally been treated as being above ordinary citizens and had enjoyed privileges unavailable to the general public.

He said the National People’s Power (NPP) government, since coming to power in September 2024, had begun dismantling what he described as outdated political practices and privileges.

Among the changes, he pointed to revised security arrangements for politicians, saying the large convoys that once accompanied political leaders during visits to villages were no longer the norm.

“Now the police are there only for the protection of the public,” he said, explaining that the government was seeking to move Sri Lanka in a new direction through a fundamental transformation of its political culture.

Earlier on Saturday (12), Namal Rajapaksa, elder son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and heir apparent of the Rajapaksa dynasty, currently in remand custody, in a message to supporters attending the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Jana Satana (People’s Struggle) rally in Anuradhapura, said political adversity had strengthened him and his movement.

“I see you from behind the iron bars of the remand cage in prison,” Rajapaksa wrote.

Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela – “Difficulties break some men but make others” – he said challenges had only made his political movement stronger.

Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and remanded until September 18 over allegations linked to a SriLankan Airlines Airbus procurement deal, described the SLPP rally in Anuradhapura as a “decisive new beginning” for the party.

He thanked supporters for their solidarity and said he would not bow to what he described as the government’s use of political power.

“Our spirit cannot be imprisoned,” Rajapaksa said, urging supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding.

The SLPP MP also accused the NPP government of failing to fulfil its election promises and claimed that the rising cost of living and tax burden were placing increasing pressure on ordinary citizens, including small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, farmers, fisherfolk and workers.

He further alleged that state investigative agencies were being politicised and that complaints involving individuals connected to the Government were not being investigated fairly or independently.

–ENCL

Editor_1
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