National People’s Power (NPP) National Executive Council member Samantha Vidyaratne stated that Sajith Premadasa is surrounded by corrupt individuals. He questioned how Sajith could possibly build a corruption-free nation when he is backed by such individuals.
Addressing a public rally in Hali-Ela, Vidyaratne emphasised the failures of past governments in addressing issues such as drug trafficking, underworld violence, poverty, ignorance, malnutrition, and crime.
“Today, underworld violence claims around 400 lives every year. This too shows the failure of past governments, or worse, their involvement in protecting these criminal elements. While you or I may not have fallen victim to these criminal networks yet, if such governance continues, in the future, either we or our children could easily become their targets,” he said.
Vidyaratne said that the incompetence of previous leaders has led to the current state of affairs in the country. He also pointed out the persistence of ethnic and religious conflicts as a sign of the weakness and divisive tactics employed by the country’s leaders. He urged citizens to make an informed and intelligent decision when voting in the upcoming election and to consider the impact of past political history on their choices.
Vidyaratne further said, “You might be a member of the UNP. You might belong to the SLFP or another party. But in reality, you don’t belong to any of these parties. You may have voted for them in the past, worn their party shirts, donned their caps, stood in their rallies, and canvassed for them. But you don’t truly belong to these parties. These parties belong to drug dealers, to corrupt businessmen, to criminal syndicates, to tax evaders. Did you rule in those parties? No.
“They were the ones who ruled. You were just a voter, enduring the struggles of life after casting your vote. Meanwhile, they spent money to win elections and ran drug businesses, maintained underworld connections, secured liquor licences, grabbed contracts, acquired stone quarries, opened hotels, seized lands, and evaded taxes. What did you do? You lost what little you had. You even lost your children’s future. That’s why you don’t own those parties. The only party that truly represents you is the National People’s Power (NPP).”
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