A signature campaign organised by the Movement for Peoples’ Council in Jaffna called on the Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led government to fulfil its election promises, including the repeal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential medicines, food, and school supplies.
Despite presenting itself as a government of reform and accountability, the administration has failed to take meaningful steps towards fulfilling its pledges, said campaigners this week.
One of the most significant promises made during the election campaign was the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)—a law that has been used for decades to arbitrarily detain Tamils and suppress political dissent. Yet, despite repeated commitments, no progress has been made to abolish or replace it.
Similarly, the release of Tamil political prisoners—a specific promise made to the Tamil people—has been indefinitely postponed, said campaigners. Many of them have been detained without charge for years under the PTA.
In addition, the government had pledged to reduce VAT on essential goods, providing relief to struggling families. However, this promise has also been abandoned, leaving many burdened by rising costs of living.
“As a result, the people refuse to believe the government’s lies any longer,” the organisers declared.
They accused the administration of using deceptive tactics to gain votes, only to reveal its true nature once in power. “The government, which once donned a mask to win the people’s votes, has now exposed its true nature,” they added.
More than two hundred individuals signed the petition during the campaign. The organisers stated that this signature campaign is not just a petition, but a means to expose both the falsehoods and the inefficacy of the Sri Lankan government.
