In a significant announcement, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his commitment to take steps toward the release of Tamil political prisoners, affirming that the government is also examining the return of lands in the Northern Province that were previously seized by the state.
Speaking at a rally organized by the National People’s Power (NPP) in Vavuniya on the 10th, President Dissanayake addressed the divisions within the country. He underscored that Sri Lanka’s future depends on unity across ethnic lines, emphasizing that the NPP’s mission is to build a cohesive movement inclusive of Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities and their leaders. “Our country is divided in so many ways, but it cannot progress if we remain divided. Our primary goal is to eliminate these divisions and bring everyone together,” he stated.
He reflected on the political history of Tamil-speaking communities, noting their previous affiliations with traditional parties. “This is why the people had aligned with the old parties in the past. However, September 21 marked a new chapter. The NPP’s victory has instilled fresh hope in the people, particularly in the North, who are now awakening to new possibilities. They have even expressed their intent to support the Compass government in the future,” he added, alluding to the party’s symbolic logo.
President Dissanayake stressed the importance of a unified political movement to create meaningful change. “The movement that brings all communities together must prevail—that victory belongs to the Compass. We are actively considering the return of lands previously taken in the North for security purposes. Furthermore, while the war left a legacy of destruction, there remain political prisoners. We are prepared to release these individuals based on recommendations from the Attorney General. Many of these old political grievances are beginning to dissolve,” he said.
Responding to political opposition, the President challenged his critics to surpass their previous support levels in future elections, asserting confidence that the NPP would only increase its support. “Those who speak of defeating us should first demonstrate they can gain more than what they earned in the last presidential election. They will see setbacks in the general election while we aim to build on our presidential gains,” he concluded, calling on all Sri Lankans to unite in building a new nation together.
