The National People’s Power (NPP) must avoid falling into the trap of political wheeling and dealing that characterised previous Governments, senior academic and Jana Balaya activist Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said yesterday. Speaking at a press conference at the N.M. Perera Centre in Colombo to discuss the post-Local Government election landscape, the University of Colombo Professor said the NPP must resist resorting to so-called “deal politics” to gain control of Local Government Councils.
“The country should reject deal politics,” Prof. Dewasiri said. “We have seen how previous Governments secured control of Councils by offering bribes to Independent candidates, such as during the formation of the Colombo Municipal Council. That practice must not be repeated.”
He said that the NPP should pursue a principled, progressive approach rather than emulating the methods of its predecessors. If it proves impossible to form a Council because Independent Councillors refuse to cooperate, then the NPP should allow others to take control, he said.
Prof. Dewasiri also cast doubst on the prospects of Opposition parties uniting to form Councils, citing internal rivalries. “I don’t think SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa can work together—they are in competition,” he said. “If the NPP ignores this reality and act, it would be digging its own grave.” Commenting on the election results, Prof. Dewasiri acknowledged that parties such as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Podujana Eksath Peramuna, and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), as well as Dilith Jayaweera’s Sarvajana Balaya, had increased their vote shares slightly compared to past polls. However, he said the NPP’s relatively lower performance was due to localised dynamics rather than a shift in national sentiment.
“At the local level, voters tend to support familiar faces. Traditional parties had the advantage of established candidates, whereas many NPP candidates were new,” he said.
He also addressed public expectations of the Government, acknowledging that some may be disappointed with the pace of progress. “People had high hopes, but resolving the economic crisis and tackling corruption—such as arresting that accused of theft—is not simple. There are legal hurdles and systemic challenges,” he said.
Prof. Dewasiri also cited recent underworld violence and targeted propaganda campaigns as factors that may have affected the election outcome. However, he said that the NPP remained the central force in national politics. “Despite setbacks, it is undeniable that the NPP continues to be the focal point of voter trust,” he said.
Jana Balaya activist Geethika Dharmasinghe accused Opposition parties of spreading disinformation to downplay the NPP’s performance. “They know they have lost the people’s support, yet they try to cast doubt on the NPP’s win,” she said.
She blamed successive Opposition parties for leading the country into economic ruin through corruption and mismanagement, prompting the 2022 Aragalaya mass protest movement. “It was their corrupt politics that gave rise to the NPP’s emergence and ultimate victory,” she said. Ms Dharmasinghe also warned the Government against adopting a top-down approach in its engagement with the public. “There’s no need for the Government to appear defensive or authoritarian. The people are with them,” she said. “They must walk side by side with the people and continue to expand democratic space.”
Jana Balaya activists Supun Wickremeratne, Widarshana Kannangara, Neville Weerasinghe and Kapila Krishantha also spoke.
