Wimal Weerawansa Criticises Government Policies at NFF Lecture

A special lecture titled “Delcy Has Arrived in the Name of Anura”, organised by the National Freedom Front (NFF), was held this evening at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

Representatives of several national organisations and members of the National Freedom Front attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Wimal Weerawansa, Leader of the National Freedom Front, criticised the government’s policies and raised concerns about its direction after two years in office.

Weerawansa questioned Sri Lanka’s relations with India and NATO, claiming that no previous Sri Lankan government had discussed working with NATO and criticising statements he attributed to the present administration regarding cooperation with the alliance.

He also referred to a visit to India by Tilvin Silva and three other individuals, saying they had travelled there to study the political system of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party. He linked this to the country’s political developments and made a reference to the loss of lives during the events surrounding the 2022 protest movement.

Weerawansa criticised the Aragalaya, claiming that it had generated hatred and hostility and awakened what he described as the “dark side” of society. He further alleged that the protest movement was opposed to war heroes and Buddhism.

He criticised the government over several issues relating to national identity, Buddhism and the military, including what he described as restrictions affecting Buddhist activities in the North and the commemoration of Thileepan.

He also criticised the government’s agricultural and taxation policies, claiming that farmers had been adversely affected by low paddy prices and that imported rice had increased in the domestic market.

Weerawansa further criticised proposed or existing taxes and referred to what he described as possible taxes relating to music and entertainment.

On the economy, he warned that Sri Lanka would begin repaying debt in 2028 and said the country needed to strengthen its foreign reserves to avoid facing another debt crisis. He also claimed that industries were leaving the country because of high energy costs.

He criticised the government’s energy policies, particularly arrangements relating to solar power generation, and questioned the cost of electricity generated using fuel.

Weerawansa also made claims regarding poverty and unemployment, alleging that 65% of the population was poor and unemployment stood at 43%, while accusing the government of failing to present an adequate plan to address these issues.

He criticised the government over the 22nd Amendment, claiming that it had undermined judicial independence. He further alleged that the government could next attempt to take control of the Election Commission and weaken democratic institutions.

He also questioned the independence of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), referring to the participation of its chairman in a two-year progress review of the NPP government.

Weerawansa raised concerns over ethnic relations and claimed that there had been insufficient responses to statements he attributed to MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam concerning Sinhala people in Batticaloa.

He also alleged that the next target could be Palaly, and claimed that the ultimate objective was to separate the North from what he described as the Sinhala state.

Turning to the opposition, Weerawansa criticised opposition parties for allegedly failing to properly examine legislation before it reaches Parliament. He also accused sections of the opposition of agreeing with government proposals and alleged that political deals were involved.

He called for a political alliance with a clear national policy agenda and urged those opposed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s political programme to take a clear position.

He also referred to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the defeat of the LTTE, arguing that those who contributed to the military victory were now facing threats.

Weerawansa concluded by calling on those who oppose the government’s political agenda to stand firmly by their positions, while saying that those unable to do so would eventually be sidelined according to political developments.