President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his recent electoral meeting in Katunayake, said the need of the hour is a strong, powerful government but not an opposition and therefore urged people to take steps to fill Parliament with his NPP (National People’s Power) representatives at the November 14 General Election.   

In a hard-hitting speech meant to galvanize electoral support for the NPP candidates representing the Gampaha District, he said he needs a strong mandate for a powerful government to facilitate robust decision-making.  

The President said there are numerous agreements reached in the past in a manner inimical to the country’s interests and those need review.  

“For all that, we need a strong government. The next parliament should be filled with clean people for us to begin with a clean slate. It should be fresh blood infused, lest they are inexperienced. It should be filled with nothing but NPPers,” he said.  

Responding to criticism that the new government would collapse within a matter of a few months, he said those were only daydreaming for complacency, and his government would move on unhindered until public expectations were realised.