“We stand for Sinhala Buddhism because the majority of the people in this country are Buddhists. At the same time, we are Buddhists in this country. Therefore, we stand for the people of this country and for Buddhism. However, standing for the Buddha Dhamma, the Buddha Sasana, and the Maha Sangha is not racism.
We believe that this country has been built on a Buddhist foundation, and that foundation has the strength to protect all religions and all cultures in this country. Therefore, we have no fear in saying that I am a Sinhala Buddhist. At the same time, I also work to protect other cultures. I am able to protect other cultures because I firmly believe in my own culture and religion. A person who does not believe in any religion or faith cannot protect another person’s language, religion, or culture,” said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa.
He expressed these views today while addressing the media at the party headquarters on Nelum Mawatha.
Elaborating further, Namal Rajapaksa said:
“First and foremost, if someone forgets who they are — their roots, the environment they were raised in, their country, their nation, and their religion — and thinks they can move forward, that person has no identity. The first step is to accept who you are and build confidence in that identity. Only then can you protect others. If someone does not have the courage to openly express their own religion without fear, they will never protect another religion.
If anyone thinks that Namal Rajapaksa standing for Buddhists and for this country is racism, that is not true. I am not a racist. I am Sinhala. I am Buddhist. But at the same time, I work to protect other cultures, languages, and religions as well.
The government must decide whether there will be an election or not. The government must also decide whether it is going to jail me and then go for an election, or go for an election before doing so. A government that is wavering between these two options cannot point fingers at me.
One government minister says, ‘Let’s see what happens to Namal Rajapaksa. He should not remain free; he should go to prison instead of contesting elections.’ Another government member says that Namal cannot contest elections and enter Parliament. First, the government must decide whether it is going to jail Namal Rajapaksa before the election or contest the election while I remain free. To the government, I say both options are the same to me.
No matter what challenges you throw at me based on your mindset, the people of this country make decisions based on the country’s future and the needs of the people, not based on the needs of the JVP. Before challenging me, fulfill the promises you made to the people. Today, small-scale net fishermen have gathered in front of the Presidential Secretariat. Until now, this government has failed to deliver justice to the fishing community.
On one hand, the fishing industry is collapsing. Fishermen are being attacked within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, and the government has still not been able to determine who is responsible or from which country they came. On the other hand, due to high fuel prices, fishermen cannot earn a profit from their catch. The cost of living is rising, fuel prices are increasing, and they must struggle against the rough seas and harsh weather conditions. Amidst all this, unidentified groups — possibly even groups supported by the government — are attacking fishermen inside their own boats in the open sea, putting their lives at further risk. Even fishermen who struggle to earn a small income by dragging their nets are being hit hard.
At the same time, the fertilizer subsidy promised to farmers has not been provided. Compensation has not been given for agricultural damage caused by strong cyclones. The promised funds of fifty lakh and one hundred lakh for housing and land purchases have not been delivered. If the government thinks it can justify itself by pointing fingers at us and making accusations, it is mistaken. Before investigating Namal Rajapaksa, the government should investigate those who imported substandard coal and the container releases at the port. When they fail to do that, they accuse us instead.
First, the country’s Health Minister should stop watching TikTok and focus on the problems faced by doctors. If he keeps watching TikTok, we can imagine what will happen to the health sector. Today, doctors are facing serious issues — there is a shortage of medicine, and patients are helpless. For the sake of the patients, the Health Minister should stop watching TikTok and work to improve the health sector.
If he is looking for a bride or groom, perhaps he should use another method instead of TikTok,” he said.
“I believe leaders must emerge. Therefore, the person mentioned as well as others should prepare for the upcoming elections. In the end, the people will choose the best candidate. This country is facing a shortage of leadership. Otherwise, we will end up with puppet leaders controlled by others. It is my personal opinion that he could become a leader; the Opposition Leader could also become a leader, and there are leaders in other political parties as well. All of them should prepare for future leadership, and the people will appoint the best person.”
