National People’s Power (NPP) leader and presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that religion should not be discussed on political platforms, either positively or negatively, and emphasized that respect for religion can only be ensured if it remains separate from politics.
Dissanayake highlighted that the NPP has consistently refrained from using religion to gain political advantage. He further noted that, despite this stance, opponents have been using religious issues to attack the NPP.
The NPP leader shared these views during a public rally in Kandy, where he added:
“Today, the political landscape is becoming increasingly intense, and every day the NPP’s victory seems more certain. Meanwhile, the ruling factions are spreading slander, falsehoods, and distorted information against us. This indicates that both Sajith’s and Ranil’s camps are feeling unsettled and confused. Their only strategy now is to repeat these fabrications.
“They are once again bringing up stories about Buddhism and distorting the facts. Our movement firmly believes in the foundational role Buddhism has played in shaping our culture. However, our opponents are using a group of monks to spread lies and slander against us.
“I believe that religion should not be a topic of discussion on political stages, whether for praise or criticism. However these ruling groups repeatedly bring religious issues to the forefront. Therefore, we refrain from discussing Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism to gain votes or to criticize others. These religions deserve respect, but only when they are kept separate from politics. The worst possible outcome is mixing religion with politics. We have made our position on religion very clear.
“Thissa Attanayake has claimed that we will stop the Kandy Perahera. Let me remind you, that Thissa was imprisoned for seven to eight months in 2015 for forging documents. We will certainly take legal action. He will have to face us in court. It’s wrong to bring such matters to the political arena. Charita Herath also alleged in Kurunegala that we will stop the Perahera at the Atkanda temple. This is what they resort to when they have no logical political criticisms. The only thing the opposition has left is to spread slander and lies.”
