Opposition Alliance Is Not a Challenge: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

13-Sep-2026

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that while strict action had been taken against corrupt individuals and underworld groups, their political allies in the Opposition had now joined together. He said that the legal reforms being undertaken posed no problem to the people of the country and that it was only the Opposition that had a problem with them.

“The alliance of the Opposition is not a challenge to me because the people are with me,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

“I have no need to take revenge against anyone because I have no personal enmity towards anyone. Many cases that had been kept pending in the past have been properly investigated over the past two years. Arrests are now being made. If a father had punished his son at the time by telling him, ‘My son, that is wrong,’ when the son was taking a bribe, there would have been no need to cry today. This is a lesson for everyone,” he said.

He made these remarks while addressing a farmers' procession held in Polonnaruwa on 11 September.

He further stated:

The change of government in 2024 was not an ordinary one. In 2024, the people defeated the system of family rule and elected a government of their own. Therefore, the entire population is represented by the Government.

Farmers were the ones who initiated the struggle against the Government in 2022. They introduced the organic fertiliser programme, which was implemented overnight. As a result, the agricultural sector was severely affected. The impact continues even today. We are now recovering from that situation.

We inherited a country that was economically bankrupt. We are carrying out the administration of the country while implementing economic recovery measures and repaying foreign government debt. Day-to-day activities cannot be carried out without ensuring economic stability. That is why difficult decisions had to be taken. The country's economy is now stable.

Whenever crises arise at the global level, the Opposition has used them for political gain. They predicted fuel shortages, food shortages and power cuts. However, their expectations have not been fulfilled because the economy has stabilised.

I know that farmers are facing many problems. Solutions will be provided to them in stages. A guaranteed price has been provided for paddy. This Government was created by the middle class. Therefore, I will undertake comprehensive development work for the people.

Those who seized power in the past for the benefit of their families collectively plundered public funds. Today, they are standing in line to face investigations. Those who committed offences must be punished.

Steps have been taken to construct houses for those without homes. Funds will be allocated for housing in the 2027 Budget. Although 17 years have passed since the end of the war, 13,500 families in the Northern and Eastern Provinces are still living in camps without being resettled.

In 2027, 6,500 families will be resettled, and another 6,500 families will be resettled in 2028. The housing problems prevailing in all provinces of the country, including the North and East, will be addressed.

While strict action has been taken against corruption and underworld groups, all members of the Opposition have now joined together against the Government. I wish to point out that this is their true face.

No one will be granted pardon in relation to the Easter Sunday bombings. Punishment will certainly be imposed. Those who murdered journalists in the past are now speaking about media freedom and democracy.

I have no need to take revenge against anyone. If I intended to take revenge, I would have done so immediately after assuming office. Many cases that had been kept pending in the past have been properly investigated over the past two years. Arrests are now being made, and reports have been submitted to the courts.

If a father had punished his son at the time by telling him, “My son, that is wrong,” when the son was taking a bribe, there would have been no need to cry today.

I will conduct the administration of the State in my capacity as President and engage in political activities in my capacity as leader of the National People's Power. I will engage directly with the people, he said.