Minister Admits Error in Kottahachchi SMS Cost Claim

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has acknowledged that a mistake was made in the figures presented by National People’s Power (NPP) MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi regarding the cost savings associated with the President not sending traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year text messages this year.

In a recent television interview, Minister Jayatissa addressed the controversy, stating that MP Kottahachchi had claimed the government saved Rs. 98 million because President Ranil Wickremesinghe refrained from sending the customary New Year greetings via SMS—a tradition followed by previous administrations.

However, Minister Jayatissa clarified that this figure appears to be inaccurate, noting that the MP based her claim on information obtained from a social media post, rather than an official source.

“The National People’s Power came to power to change the country’s political culture. So, we must take responsibility for what we say. Mistakes like this can harm us. We will do our best to correct them,” said the Minister.

The Minister emphasized that the NPP, despite being a relatively new ruling force, holds its members accountable and does not tolerate the dissemination of false or misleading information—intentional or otherwise.

Addressing wider concerns about misleading statements made by members of the government, Minister Jayatissa stated:

“We have spoken to our party members about these issues and taken steps to fix them. We don’t treat these situations lightly.”

He further urged the public not to judge the entire government based on isolated missteps made by individual MPs, reiterating that such incidents are swiftly addressed either through public clarification or a formal apology during official briefings.

In a related but controversial aside, social media also circulated bizarre claims attributed to a woman known as “Uganda Kumari,” who alleged that members of the Rajapaksa regime had hidden national funds in Uganda, and that these would be recovered once the NPP was fully in power. The same individual reportedly retracted the claim later, admitting it was false.

The NPP's recent experiences highlight the challenges of transitioning from opposition to governance, particularly in managing information, internal discipline, and maintaining public trust.

As the party navigates this transition, its leadership appears committed to corrective action, signalling a departure from what it calls the "political irresponsibility" of past governments.