Sri Lanka: “You Cannot Stop Us with Repression”: Namal Rajapaksa Issues Bold Defiance in Thambuttegama
By Lions Roar News Political Desk
THAMBUTTEGAMA, SRI LANKA (Sunday, January 18, 2026) — National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Member of Parliament, Namal Rajapaksa, has sent a defiant message to the government, asserting that no amount of state pressure can halt the political momentum of his party.
Speaking at a crowded public rally in Thambuttegama yesterday (January 17), the MP addressed recent government actions, characterizing them as a calculated attempt to suppress opposition voices.
🛡️ Unfazed by “Jails or Tactics”
Addressing the gathering, Rajapaksa emphasized that the SLPP’s history and its base are resilient against intimidation. He specifically referenced the removal of party symbols and legal threats as ineffective tools of the current administration.
- Rejection of Fear: Rajapaksa stated that showing “prison cells” or removing “flag poles” would not intimidate the party leadership or its supporters.
- Historical Reference: He issued a stern warning to the government, telling them not to attempt to recreate the dark “1988-89 era” of political violence and suppression in the modern day.
- The Message: “Keep your repression to yourself,” he told the administration, insisting that the SLPP would continue its political activities regardless of the obstacles.
🏛️ Mobilizing the Grassroots
The Thambuttegama meeting is part of a series of regional rallies the SLPP has launched to consolidate its base ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
“You cannot stop us with government repression. You cannot stop us by showing us jails. You cannot stop us by uprooting a flagpole. Therefore, keep your suppression to yourself. Do not try to play the games of ’88 and ’89 now.” — Namal Rajapaksa
📉 Political Context
The remarks come at a time of heightened political friction in Sri Lanka, as the SLPP seeks to re-establish itself as a dominant force. Rajapaksa’s speech highlights a growing narrative within the opposition that the current government is overreaching its authority to stifle democratic dissent.
