AKD calls for an immediate snap poll

• Current Parliament a distortion of the people’s will
• Rajapaksa shadows remain in Parliament 
• Only a snap poll will ensure their complete defeat

By Maneshka Borham

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) Party Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka is calling for the dissolution of Parliament and the holding of a snap poll immediately. 

According to Dissanayaka, the current Parliament is a distorted reflection of the people’s will. “The current Parliament is alienated from the people; therefore, a Parliament representing the true will and wishes of the people must now be elected,” he said. 

Dissanayaka made these comments at a seminar titled ‘From a deviant governance to a people’s governance’ held on Sunday at the National Youth Services Council in Maharagama. The seminar is the first of a series of seminars organised by the party to present to the public its vision on how to successfully overcome the current challenges faced by the country. 

The NPP leader also said the party intends to ensure the complete political vanquishing of the Rajapaksa family. Noting the people’s uprising and struggle had sought to rid the country of the Rajapaksa family and nepotism, Dissanayaka said shadows of the family however remain in Parliament. 

“The head of the Rajapaksa rule may have been sliced off through the people’s struggle but the body remains in the form of the 134 Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) members in Parliament,” he said. 

Dissanayaka alleged the SLPP supported President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to secure the positions as it was unwilling to let a person outside the Rajapaksa family rise to clinch the leadership of the party.  “Wickremesinghe is the protector of the SLPP for the future generations of the Rajapaksa family,” Dissanayaka claimed. “Had Dullas Alahapperuma won, the Rajapaksa’s would have lost their grip on the SLPP,” he added.  

According to Dissanayaka, therefore those representing the Rajapaksa’s in Parliament must be defeated at an election. “This is the only way to ensure their defeat,” he said. 

The NPP leader said the party will therefore lead the struggle to ensure a snap general election is held, which in turn will allow the people to elect the representatives of their choice.