News Today: President Pledges Land Return & Prisoner Release

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced plans to return land in the northern and eastern provinces to their rightful owners. These lands had been under military control for security purposes. Additionally, he pledged to release political prisoners, emphasizing that this would be done following advice from the Attorney General.

Speaking at a rally in Vavuniya, President Dissanayake urged the people in the north and east to support the National People’s Power (NPP). He stressed that the NPP, with its commitment to national harmony, is the only party capable of uniting the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher communities. He argued that supporting a party with broad national backing could resolve much of the country’s longstanding issues.

In response to claims by other political parties intending to join the NPP post-victory, he declared that such alliances are no longer feasible. “Some parties now claim they will support the NPP after the victory, but it’s too late. They’ve missed the bus,” he asserted, reinforcing his party’s confidence and readiness to address the national issue independently.