Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Leader and Opposition MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has requested Sri Lankans domiciled in Italy to promote the NPP with a view to changing the prevailing political culture. 

Speaking recently, specifically addressing Lankans in Italy including in Naples, Dissanayake said that beginning next year, from January 2023 onwards, they would (on 4 January 2023) commence mobilising the public to create their own security council together with those who fought the war, while on 24 January, they will mobilise the industrialists, adding that they have also had lawyers, business folk, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, engineers, doctors, and software engineers join them and gather round them. 

The JVP-led NPP is taking part in a number of meetings in Italy. 

“In NPP politics, we talk about the disasters taking place in the country, the consequences of those disasters, and what we need to do to overcome the disaster. We have proclaimed this throughout the country. It was a long-term measure towards this cause that brought us to Italy. We are addressing you all because all Sri Lankans who live abroad have a role to play. If you, who reside in Italy, raise the NPP flag, that will be an important message to your hometown, to your relatives, and to your friends. Your hometown will be greatly affected. You can play a huge role. 

“Through social media, you can win an enormous victory. It was the Sri Lankans living abroad who created the trend and the wave that contributed to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory. Looking at everyone gathered here in Naples today clearly shows in which direction the wind is blowing. You may have voted for various parties with the intention of voting for change, but no change ever happened. We will change it. We will change the Constitution so that the power will be given to the Parliament and not to an Executive President.”