President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the government is committed to protecting farmers who have been exploited by multinational corporations.
Speaking at a National People’s Power (NPP) rally in Puttalam as part of the local government election campaign, he emphasized the government’s dedication to fulfilling the expectations of the people.
He urged the public to ensure victory for the “Malimawa” symbol on May 6, reminding them that the country had already ended 76 years of dynastic rule with the historic shift in Parliament on September 21. He noted the rapid rise of the NPP, from securing just 3% of the vote in 2019 to leading the current government, while traditional political parties had lost public trust.
President Dissanayake said that the government is focused on revitalizing the economy, fighting corruption, enforcing the law equally, and improving healthcare, education, and transportation services.
He proudly stated that for the first time, racism has been defeated in elections, with people from all communities uniting behind the NPP, ending the division once fueled by ethnic politics.
He highlighted that the economy has stabilized, inflation has dropped, and essential goods are being provided without disruption. Major investments have been allocated for infrastructure and public services, including the recruitment of 30,000 new public sector employees and salary increases for government workers.
Special attention has been given to the agriculture sector, where farmers are now receiving fair prices for their paddy harvests, and a sustainable system has been put in place to prevent future price collapses. In addition, a new program has been launched to import and distribute pesticides through state enterprises at affordable prices, protecting farmers from exploitation by multinational corporations.
Fuel subsidies for the fisheries sector have been introduced, and steps are being taken to remove unnecessary taxes, aiming to strengthen deep-sea fishing and national development.
President Dissanayake stressed that this is a government that genuinely serves the people, redistributing benefits instead of concentrating privileges among a few.
He also mentioned ongoing efforts to return illegally acquired lands to rightful owners and assured that the era of political extortion and two-tier justice is over. The law will be enforced equally against all offenders, regardless of their status.
Finally, he called on voters to continue supporting the government’s positive reforms by electing NPP representatives to municipal and local councils, ensuring that the progress already made is strengthened and carried forward.
