SLPP Jaffna District Organizer Geethanath Cassilingam says Namal Rajapaksa has continued to challenge the National People’s Power (NPP) government over its failures, while some young politicians have allegedly chosen political convenience over speaking out against its shortcomings.
According to Cassilingam, Namal has remained vocal in questioning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government and reminding it that, two years into its administration, the promises made to the people remain largely unfulfilled.
“People elected this government expecting meaningful change, better living conditions and economic relief. Two years on, they have every right to ask what has been achieved beyond repeated announcements about bringing the corrupt to justice,” Cassilingam said.
Anti-corruption campaign or political spectacle?
Cassilingam argued that the government’s repeated announcements about arresting corrupt politicians risk becoming a political spectacle that distracts from its own performance.
He said the public was increasingly concerned about the gap between the NPP’s promises and the results delivered, while the cost of living and other economic pressures continued to affect ordinary citizens.
“The government cannot hide behind a weekly show of arrests and promises that the corrupt will be put behind bars. It must demonstrate what it has done for the people and answer for the commitments it has failed to fulfil,” he said.
Detention raises democratic concerns
Cassilingam also questioned the use of Section 149 of the bribery law in connection with Namal Rajapaksa’s detention, arguing that any misuse of legal provisions against political opponents would pose a serious threat to democracy.
He also called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP government to uphold due process and ensure that opposition politicians can question government decisions and conduct legitimate political activities without intimidation.
People want results, not political theatre
Cassilingam maintained that portraying Namal Rajapaksa as a villain through political messaging would not resolve the public’s grievances or shield the government from scrutiny.
He argued that while some young politicians have remained silent, Namal’s continued criticism has kept attention on the government’s promises, failures and accountability.
“The people did not elect this government simply to see political opponents arrested. They expected results, economic relief and the change they were promised. After two years, the government must be judged by its achievements, not its announcements,” he said.
Cassilingam concluded that the NPP could not rely indefinitely on its anti-corruption campaign to deflect criticism. Ultimately, he argued, public confidence would depend on delivering tangible results, protecting democratic freedoms and applying the law equally to everyone.