Namal comes to Thambuththegama and performs 'Vanacharaya'

A special political meeting was held yesterday in the Thambuththegama area, chaired by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Member of Parliament. A large number of party supporters were seen attending this public meeting, which primarily aimed to present appointment letters to party representatives in the Kalawewa electorate.

On this political stage, the audience's attention was largely drawn to a humorous performance. A person wearing a mask resembling Minister Lal Kantha of the National People's Power (NPP), who was recently controversially referred to as 'Mihintale Wanacharaya' (Mihintale Savage) by a monk, came onto the stage and presented an act of protest. Several prominent party activists, including former Members of Parliament Tissa Kuttiarachchi and Sanjeewa Edirimanna, as well as former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, also participated in this event.

However, the night before this meeting, on the 16th, a tense situation arose concerning the decorations. A group, including a senior police officer, arrived and obstructed individuals who were putting up party flags and decorations in Thambuththegama town. Following the instruction to immediately remove the decorations, an exchange of words occurred between the two parties. When those present at the scene inquired about the reason for removing the decorations, the police officer stated that legal permission had not been obtained to display flags within the town.

Commenting on this incident, the party supporters who were putting up decorations questioned whether two sets of laws are currently in effect in the country and whether the police are carrying out these obstructions due to political pressure from the government. Commenting on this, Party General Secretary Sagarika Kariyawasam stated that there is no legal impediment to displaying political party flags when an election has not been declared, and that the government, fearing them, is attempting to cripple these activities by deploying the police.

Following the meeting, Mr. Namal Rajapaksa stated in a post on his official Twitter account that he had come to Thambuththegama not to spread hatred, but that his party is on a political journey that respects all communities while protecting cultural heritage. He further mentioned that these appointments were made to strengthen grassroots leadership in the Anuradhapura District.

However, the videos and photos of this meeting that were published on social media received strong critical reactions from the public. Many accused that this crowd was brought in from other areas (manpower) by paying money, and that people were transported by bus from distant areas such as Kalutara and Puttalam. Many social media users severely criticized the event, stating that holding such political meetings again, despite being rejected by the majority of the country's population, is a joke.

Watch the video related to this incident ›