Sri Lanka President vows tough action against corruption as he pledges to rebuild the country

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the farming community gave the strength to end corrupt politics and elect a government that understands the hardships faced by the people.

Addressing a farmers’ rally in Polonnaruwa today (September 12), the President said the people had placed great hopes in the government to stop corruption, establish the rule of law, rebuild the economy, create a better future for their children and develop agriculture.

“We have a vision to rebuild this country, and the people placed great hopes in us,” he said.

President Dissanayake said the government is working to fulfil those expectations, but stressed that rebuilding the country also requires punishing those who commit crimes and bringing corrupt individuals before the law.

He said catching those involved in corruption, preventing further wrongdoing and ensuring that the law is applied fairly to everyone are all part of the wider effort to rebuild the country.

The President said the government had already begun what he described as a major effort to rebuild Sri Lanka.

Referring to predictions made when the government came to power, President Dissanayake said some had claimed it would remain in office for only three months, six months or one year.

“As long as the people of this country stand with our government, no one will be able to shake us,” he said.

The President also said his government had taken over a country where almost everything had come to a standstill, adding that the necessary steps had since been taken to revive the country and move it forward.

He made the remarks while attending a farmers’ rally held as part of the series of public rallies under the theme “People’s Rule: Two Years Strong – Progress for All.”

The rally was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Deepa Uyana premises, opposite the Parakrama Samudra on the Polonnaruwa–Batticaloa main road.

A large number of farmers from the Polonnaruwa area attended the event.

One of the main objectives of the rally was to inform farmers about the programmes implemented by the government for the farming community during the past two years, as well as the measures being taken to improve their future.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath also addressed the rally before the President spoke to the gathering.