NPP candidate says election campaigns hit by 'smart violence'

Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that the Presidential election campaign has been hit by ‘smart violence’, contesting claims that campaigns have been peaceful.

Speaking at a rally in Panadura yesterday (Nov 11), the National People’s Power (NPP) candidate recalled how patterns of violence had changed from the past.

“False messages are being filtered into the people’s minds without allowing them to express their choice freely,” Mr Dissanayake told supporters.

Further, Mr. Dissanayake claimed that this form of dissension which he termed as 'smart violence' had arisen by disseminating false messages through media platforms.

In his address, the NPP candidate pledged to introduce a strong legal framework to protect the environment. He pointed out that laws are not being prepared to address the needs of the people, but to appease wealthy nations.

“The past rulers have destroyed the country’s environment due to their greed for money,” he claimed.

Dissanayake pointed out that Sri Lanka’s environment which had flourished with rivers, streams, and tanks, has been depleted now. “We will enrich this land once again. We will refurbish the water cascade system and provide nourishment to the country,” he pledged.