“These leaders market poverty instead of eradicating” – Anura

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Presidential Candidate of the National People’s Power Movement, Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended a public meeting in Rikillagaskada this morning (November 5).  Several JVP activists also attended this event today.

Speaking at the meeting, the Presidential candidate said:

“If you consider all criteria, our country is poor. They have made this a poor country with a massive debt burden. The country is poor. But what about the leader? The leader is rich. This economy can’t even repay the loans. No matter how long it takes, the woodpecker will continue to build the nest in this manner. No matter how long it takes, the UNP will also govern the country in the same manner. It won’t change. Even for another long period of time, the Rajapaksas will govern the country in the same manner. What change are we looking for? How many expectations did you have? Did you not vote again thinking they will be better. Did you not vote for Mahinda again thinking he will be better next time. For how long did you wait to see these leaders change? It is very clear that they will not change. If the leaders are not going to change, it is time for the people to change. Because what do leaders do? They market poverty”

“What are they doing now? When they meet the farming community, they promise to provide fertilizer because they think these people are poor. Didn’t they do that? Didn’t they come forward and say ”he only promised for paddy, but I’ll give fertilizer for everything”. When they see children, they say “Give me power; I will give you a glass of milk.” When they see pregnant mothers they question if they are poor and ask for power to give them a bag of nutrition. They promise to give fishermen oil because of poverty. That’s the type of leaders they are. We invite you to create a country under a leadership that will eradicate poverty instead of marketing it.