• Upul Kumarapperuma PC assures NPP will not allow post-election violence 

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People's Power (NPP) announced its intention to take legal action against any party that spreads false allegations about the NPP claiming that it will not violate any laws if elected to power.

President's Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, speaking on behalf of the NPP's Lawyers' Collective, addressed the media yesterday (2) and refuted claims that the NPP would impose arbitrary laws affecting people's assets. He claimed that the United National Party (UNP) was responsible for introducing a culture of post-electoral violence in Sri Lanka and stressed that the NPP would not allow such violence to occur under its governance.

Kumarapperuma PC specifically denied allegations that the NPP would confiscate people's assets or deposits, as has been falsely attributed to statements by Sunil Handunnetti. "Many people and media outlets have stated, quoting Sunil Handunnetti, that a future NPP Government would take over people's deposits if they have more than a particular amount of money. A political party cannot do so. People have a right to keep assets, including money. It is secured by certain verdicts. Therefore, such laws cannot be imposed arbitrarily," Kumarapperuma opined.

In response to concerns about possible post-electoral violence under a future NPP Government, Kumarapperuma noted that no significant electoral violence has been reported since 1994. He argued out that it was the UNP that initiated this culture, particularly under the leadership of President J. R. Jayawardene in 1977, when political opponents were intimidated, and law enforcement officials were sidelined. "It was the UNP that started this culture. When President J. R. Jayawardene won the election in 1977, he intimidated his opponents. Policemen were sent on leave. A large number of political opponents were transferred. But since Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga won the 1994 Presidential Election, no such electoral violence has been reported up to date," he alleged. .

He also urged the public to remain vigilant against false allegations that may circulate as postal voting approaches. He emphasised the importance of recognising these claims as attempts to undermine the NPP's credibility ahead of the election.