NPP News

(-Colombo, March 08, 2025-)

International Women’s Day is a direct victory for the movement advocating women’s rights. The concept of Women’s Day originated from a march in New York City, where approximately 15,000 women demanded shorter working hours, better wages and voting rights.

Later, March 8 was recognized as International Women’s Day, inspired by the Russian women who went on strike demanding “Bread and Peace” during the February Revolution of 1917, which laid the foundation for significant political change.

The contribution of Sri Lankan women to the formation of the National People’s Power (NPP) government has been immense. As a government, we express our gratitude for this invaluable support and take pride in the initial steps we have taken within a short period to secure victories for Sri Lankan women.

For decades, the topics of women’s political representation, participation and leadership remained subjects of discussion rather than action. However, the election of 22 women as Members of Parliament in the last general election marked a turning point in the country’s political landscape.

Furthermore, in pursuit of gender equality and social justice, we have implemented our economic policy; a production-based economic approach, ensuring the active and effective participation of women, who make up 51.7% of the population.

With a vision of a just society, a free nation and empowered women, we are committed to safeguarding women’s rights in all aspects of life, including the home, public transport, workplaces, communities and politics. This includes preventing all forms of violence against women, ensuring gender-discrimination and protecting women’s rights. We have prioritized incorporating these principles into national policies.

In alignment with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” we celebrate Women’s Day under the theme, “Strong She Will Be a Pathway to Build a Sustainable Future!” This theme powerfully reflects the commitment to equal rights for all women and girls, emphasizing a practical and meaningful approach to achieving gender equality.

As we strive for economic prosperity and a secure future for the daughters of our society, we look forward to the unwavering support of all women in leading our country toward a new era of progress. On this International Women’s Day, I extend my warmest wishes to all.

Anura Kumara Disanayake

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

08th March, 2025

(-Colombo, February 28, 2025-)

• There Will Be No Opportunity for Nationalism or Extremism to Resurface in the Country

• The Simultaneous Operation of Several Criminal Gangs Raises Suspicion of a Conspiracy

• The Current Government Has Ended the Era of Inhumanity and Paved the Way for Discipline

– President States in Parliament

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that the National People’s Power (NPP) government is committed to eradicate the criminal underworld that operates within the legal state.

The President emphasized that nationalism and extremism have historically posed significant threats to national security and assured that the current administration will not allow either to resurface in Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake also stated that the government is prepared to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and introduce a new legal framework to prevent terrorism.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks today (28) in Parliament while delivering the response speech as the Minister of Defence during the Committee Stage Debate of the 2025 Budget, addressing the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

He firmly stated that his government would never leave room for the opposition to realize their dream of toppling the government, whether by creating an illusion of economic collapse, fabricating a security crisis, or inciting public unrest.

Furthermore, he asserted that the current administration has ended the era of inhumanity and is paving the way for a more disciplined and principled governance. The President challenged the opposition to surpass the standards set by the present government, warning that failure to do so would render them political fossils stuck in out-dated politics.

He also made it clear that no criminal gangs operating within the hidden criminal underworld would receive any protection or endorsement from members of the current government.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that the Sri Lanka Army and Police would be restructured into fully professional institutions. He emphasized that all appointments and transfers within the security forces have been conducted without favouritism or political influence.

He further stated that the former Chief of Defence Staff had been granted seven service extensions. However, as key positions cannot be assigned based on personal relationships or favouritism, new appointments have been made to ensure a fresh and merit-based approach.

The President underscored that the current government is committed to building a military that is loyal to the state rather than individuals and to enhancing its professionalism.

He also stated that the government is taking all possible measures to ensure justice and fairness for crimes that have been buried by the passage of time.

Highlighting the importance of trust in the structure of the security sector, the President noted that the current government is working to restore discipline and integrity to the state, which has deteriorated to its deepest level.

The President declared that the opposition’s aspiration to attain power through the creation of an economic crisis has now come to a conclusion. He further expressed scepticism regarding the opposition’s current efforts to seize power by inciting a national security crisis.

The President revealed that an investigation into the five recent crimes that occurred this month indicated they were committed by five criminal gangs. He further stated that, during the investigation, the direction of the inquiry is being directed towards identifying the perpetrators. There is suspicion that multiple gangs operated simultaneously, raising concerns of a possible conspiracy. The President mentioned that once these conspiracies are identified, the government will take steps to suppress them. He emphasized that the era of transferring governmental power through conspiracies has come to an end, and that it is possible to form a government based on civility and proper conduct.

The President further stated that state institutions and political authorities are working towards building a society free from criminal gangs.

The President stated that the current budget includes proposals to increase allowances for foreign training for the defence sectors. Provisions have been allocated for the purchase of necessary aircrafts for the Air Force and, the Navy, and plans are in place to allocate Rs. 1,000 million for providing facilities to the Sri Lanka Police. Additionally, funds have been set aside for new recruitments in the tri-forces and the police. The budget includes provisions for the recruitment of 10,000 personnel each for the Air Force and the Police.

(-Colombo, February 26, 2025-)

Maha Shiva Rathri is a sacred and joyous occasion celebrated by Hindu devotees across the world in reverence of Lord Shiva. This divine night marks the celestial union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the powerful Tandava, Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation and destruction. It symbolises the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, dispelling the darkness of illusion and lighting the path to enlightenment.

On this auspicious night, Hindu devotees observe fasting and engage in spiritual practices, praying for the darkness of ignorance to be replaced by the radiance of wisdom. It is also a time to seek divine blessings for prosperity, peace and fulfilment in life.

The union of Shiva and Parvati is a profound representation of knowledge and power coming together. It reminds us that breaking free from the illusions of division allows us to embrace the truth with open eyes. Today, as we stand at the dawn of a new era, this message is more relevant than ever. Let us tear down the barriers that have kept us apart for generations and unite as one, casting aside discord and embracing togetherness. This is a moment to nurture interfaith harmony, celebrate our diversity and move forward with love and mutual respect, dedicating ourselves to the progress of our beloved motherland.

As we journey towards a brighter future, it is our collective responsibility to build a nation grounded in unity and strength. We are stepping into a time of transformation, embracing political, economic and social renewal, shaping a future that holds promise and hope for all.

On this sacred night, as the glowing lamps of Maha Shiva Rathri illuminate our surroundings, let them also illuminate our hearts, guiding us with unwavering faith along the path we have chosen. Let us walk forward together, hand in hand, in the spirit of peace, unity and shared prosperity.

May this Maha Shiva Rathri bring fulfilment, happiness and boundless blessings to all Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

26th February, 2025

(-Colombo, February 23, 2025-)

President Pays Homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and Receives Blessings from the Chief Prelates of Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic will be held for the general public after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

He stated that discussions regarding this event were held today (23) with the Chief Prelates (Mahanayaka Theras) of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters.

Furthermore, arrangements for the exposition were agreed upon with the participation of the Governor of the Central Province, the Kandy District Secretary, other government officials and the Diyawadana Nilame of the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

This morning (23), President Anura Kumara Disanayake visited the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, where he paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and received blessings.

Subsequently, he visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, where he met with the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera. The President inquired about the Chief Prelate’s well-being and engaged in a brief discussion. During the visit, the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith (blessings) and bestowed blessings upon the President.

The President then proceeded to the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya, where he met with the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera and engaged in a brief discussion. Senior monks, including the Anunayaka Theras of the Asgiriya Chapter, were present at the occasion and the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith to invoke blessings upon the President.

Responding to a question from journalists, President Anura Kumara Disanayake assured that there is no threat to national security. He acknowledged that while conflicts among underworld groups exist, they do not pose a risk to public safety.

The President emphasized that the current government is taking firm action to completely eradicate organized crime, which had previously thrived under political protection.

The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to conducting the local government elections as soon as possible. He assured that there are no legal obstacles preventing the Election Commission from holding the elections and that the government has already allocated the necessary funds. The President expressed confidence that the Election Commission will soon announce the election date.

The event was attended by Minister Samantha Vidyaratna, Deputy Ministers Dr. Prasanna Gunasena and Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni, Kandy District Member of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara and several other dignitaries.

(-Colombo, February 05, 2025-)

At the JVP Head Office this morning (05), Swiss Ambassador Siri Walta and JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva met.

It was discussed at length the current social and political situation in the country, the Clean Sri Lanka program and the new economic reforms that will be introduced in the upcoming budget. The discussion focused primarily on national reconciliation, human rights protection, and strengthening the rule of law.

On this occasion, the First Secretary of the Swiss Embassy, Mrs Justine Boillat, and the Political Section Officer, Mr Kanishka Ratnapriya, were also present. The JVP was represented by lawyer Madhu Kalpana, a member of the International Division of the party.

(-Colombo, February 04, 2025-)

This year, we commemorate a special Independence Day. Rather than merely reflecting on our past, this year we celebrate Independence Day looking forward to the future. Today, we celebrate Independence Day, at a juncture when people from the northern, southern, eastern, and central regions of our country collectively dream of a future defined by a prosperous Sri Lankan State, a modern Sri Lankan nation.

On February 4, 1948, our country attained the political autonomy requisite for self-determination. Although that freedom was constrained, it nonetheless held profound significance. That moment marked the inaugural instance in our history when we secured political independence. This island, which had been partially subjected to Western imperialist rule since 1505, was entirely subsumed as a British colony in 1815. It is on a day such as today that the political prerequisites for emerging as an independent state, liberated 77 years ago, begin to be fulfilled. Therefore, it is a day worthy of celebration.

Today is a day to honor all the valiant heroes who rendered immense sacrifices to render this day possible. Moreover, even after 1948, as we carried forward the mantle bestowed upon us to realize complete freedom, additional courageous souls have traversed arduous paths in pursuit of our liberation. We have journeyed far to reach this moment of celebrating our 77th anniversary of independence, having borne that baton through the passage of time, including the pivotal year 1972, when we attained full political sovereignty under a constitutional crown. In that journey, we have arrived at this day, forged by the blood and sweat of thousands of gallant people, both celebrated heroes and heroines as well as the unsung ones, who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We hereby pay our homage to all of them in this moment.

Today, as the democratically elected President of this state, I stand before our proud national flag in Independence Square, not only as your leader but as a brother who has borne the historical burden emblematic of our future freedom. I am confident that you stand with me in this moment, sharing in the weight of this burden.

Together, we must embark upon a journey towards economic liberation and socio-cultural emancipation, in short, towards the freedom essential for us to live with pride as contemporary citizens of this nation. Not only must we overcome the ethnic, religious, and caste divisions that have long fragmented and subjugated us as subjects, but we must also eradicate the entrenched prejudices that exist between political representatives and the populace, between institutional leaders and their staff, between passengers and public transportation operators, between government employees and the citizens they serve, between educators and students, and so forth. We must purify our society by eradicating these prejudices and reaffirm that human dignity, love, and compassion, the hallmarks of the modern era, form the bedrock of all human relationships. Similarly, as citizens of this nation, we must not permit the respect or affection inherently owed to every human being to be curtailed by disability, age, illness, or any other such limitation.

Only when we have fully commemorated 77 years of liberation from colonialism can we reimagine freedom for our nation.

Therefore, we must recognize that in our quest to attain comprehensive economic, social, and cultural freedom, each of us is a warrior on the same battlefield. Collectively, we must persist in our struggle for freedom on behalf of this motherland.

In this endeavor, you, as farmers and fishermen who sustain our nation with food, as educators who cultivate knowledge and nurture future generations, as healthcare professionals who safeguard the well-being of our people, and as members of the police and security forces who ensure the safety of our citizens, bear an indispensable responsibility. Equally, those who fortify our manufacturing sector, propel our nation toward industrialization, and bolster our service economy, from garment factory workers to the women who harvest tea leaves in the highlands, from expatriates laboring abroad to those striving to elevate our nation through information technology, and from advocates of the tourism industry, each of you plays a crucial role in nurturing our motherland.

To secure our economic freedom, rather than succumbing to weakness in the global economic system and being overwhelmed by its every fluctuation, we must unite in our efforts for this motherland. In our pursuit of economic liberation, we must remain steadfast, never relegating our social and cultural freedom to a subordinate position.

Consequently, as artists, writers, journalists, and scholars, you bear an indispensable responsibility to purify and rejuvenate our national spirit, which has been tarnished by hatred and anger. In this context, religious leaders have likewise been entrusted with a profound responsibility.

Only when we have fully commemorated 77 years of liberation from colonialism can we reimagine freedom for our nation.

Therefore, we must recognize that in our quest to attain comprehensive economic, social, and cultural freedom, each of us is a warrior on the same battlefield. Collectively, we must persist in our struggle for freedom on behalf of this motherland.

In this endeavor, you, as farmers and fishermen who sustain our nation with food, as educators who cultivate knowledge and nurture future generations, as healthcare professionals who safeguard the well-being of our people, and as members of the police and security forces who ensure the safety of our citizens, bear an indispensable responsibility. Equally, those who fortify our manufacturing sector, propel our nation toward industrialization, and bolster our service economy, from garment factory workers to the women who harvest tea leaves in the highlands, from expatriates laboring abroad to those striving to elevate our nation through information technology, and from advocates of the tourism industry, each of you plays a crucial role in nurturing our motherland.

To secure our economic freedom, rather than succumbing to weakness in the global economic system and being overwhelmed by its every fluctuation, we must unite in our efforts for this motherland. In our pursuit of economic liberation, we must remain steadfast, never relegating our social and cultural freedom to a subordinate position.

Consequently, as artists, writers, journalists, and scholars, you bear an indispensable responsibility to purify and rejuvenate our national spirit, which has been tarnished by hatred and anger. In this context, religious leaders have likewise been entrusted with a profound responsibility.

Similarly, as devoted mothers and fathers nurturing the future generations of this nation, you, too, have a vital role to fulfill.

Likewise, as the sons and daughters diligently studying today in preparation to steward this nation tomorrow, you possess a unique and crucial role.

Just as the mantle of responsibility to lead this nation into the future was entrusted to us through the sacrifices, blood, tears, and sweat of those who loved our country immeasurably, so too shall we one day bestow that honorable responsibility upon you. However, on February 4, 2025, as we commemorate our national independence, 77 years since our liberation from colonial rule, I must pledge one promise to you. The nation we bequeath to you is not merely the country that history has conferred upon us, but your own homeland, a nation in which you can aspire to live as global citizens. It is a nation that reveres human dignity and embodies an elevated cultural ethos. Moreover, it is a country that guarantees your right to partake in the scientific, technological, and intellectual advancements that human civilization has realized thus far, as citizens of this Sri Lankan state.

I assert this unequivocally before you today, for we possess no legitimate excuse to squander this magnificent opportunity bestowed upon us by history. The future will attest that we have not faltered in this regard. I am equally confident that you will guide this cherished motherland into the future with even greater devotion and vigor than we have demonstrated.

As human beings, our inalienable duty, by virtue of our existence on this earth, is to render this world a haven of elevated humanity, and to ensure that all individuals have equitable opportunities to partake in and embody that higher humanity. Our struggle for freedom is intrinsically intertwined with this noble aspiration.

Therefore, let us envision that dream of freedom collectively, let us bring that dream to fruition together.

Perhaps you and I, indeed all of us, are united on this journey, and it is imperative to remember that this journey has the potential to render our motherland, this Sri Lankan state, an enduring exemplar of freedom and democracy in the contemporary political landscape. Although we may not emerge as the wealthiest nation globally, through our concerted efforts, we can evolve into a model state of equality and freedom, one that epitomizes the richest national spirit in the world.