National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the need for a government that does not make racism its ideology. Speaking at an election rally in Kinniya, Dissanayake called for a leadership that earns the trust of all communities in Sri Lanka, stating that a government built solely on the majority confidence of the Sinhalese people is not sufficient.
He criticized the Rajapaksa administration for rising to power in 2019 by creating racial divisions, particularly between the Sinhala and Muslim communities. Dissanayake noted that the government failed to promote democracy and eradicate corruption, instead deepening social divides. He also highlighted the controversy surrounding the government’s refusal to allow the burial of Muslim Covid-19 victims, a decision that forced many to perform final rites against their religious beliefs.
Dissanayake urged voters to support a government that unites all ethnic groups and upholds justice and equality, breaking free from a legacy of racial polarization.
Last modified: August 31, 2024
