Sri Lanka President vows no limit in crackdown on corruption, rejects political revenge claims

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government will continue taking action against corruption and those accused of wrongdoing without any limit, rejecting claims that such action amounts to political revenge.

Addressing a political rally held under the theme “People’s Rule – Two Years Strong. Progress for All” in Nochchiyagama today (September 13), the President said the people had given the government a mandate to act against corruption.

“Where is the limit when it comes to catching thieves? We will catch them without any limit. The people have given us a mandate to do that,” he said.

President Dissanayake said some people may attempt to describe the government’s actions as political revenge, but insisted that this was not the case.

He said political revenge was when media institutions that criticised a government were attacked and bombed, journalists who wrote against a government were shot dead, and people were abducted in white vans, assaulted and left on roadsides.

He also referred to public officials being forced to leave the country and said a former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department had been arrested and imprisoned within a short period.

“That is revenge. We have not engaged in revenge,” the President said.

Speaking about the rally, President Dissanayake noted that the area had received heavy rain after a long period of drought, but thousands of people had still gathered despite the weather.

He said their participation showed their determination to protect the government and their desire to rebuild the country.

“As long as we have such courageous people and such a courageous movement, this government will remain the government of this country,” he said.

The President recalled that around two years ago, the movement had travelled through villages, explaining to the public the destruction the country had suffered and the need to establish a new government.

He said the first major step towards establishing a National People’s Power government was taken at the presidential election held on September 21, 2024.

President Dissanayake also recalled a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to China.

He said he had asked the Chinese President about the secret behind China’s success and was told that the country had reached its present level through the sacrifices made by several generations of its people.

President Dissanayake said Sri Lanka had also suffered destruction over a long period and that the present generation therefore had a responsibility to work hard to rebuild the country.

He said people had endured suffering and hardship for years before coming together to form a new government in the hope of securing a better future.

According to the President, the people expected a country free from corruption and fraud.

He noted that critics had previously repeatedly asked the government, “Where are the files?”, referring to allegations of corruption, but said such questions were no longer being raised.

President Dissanayake also referred to a recent statement by a former minister who had reportedly said there should be a limit to catching thieves.

The President rejected that view and said the government would continue its anti-corruption drive without setting such a limit.