President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has questioned the practice of political power being passed from father to son, calling for a major transformation of Sri Lanka’s political culture.

“Some thought that when the father becomes President, the son should also become President. We need to change that,” the President said while addressing a public rally in Kahatagasdigiliya today (13).

He said the government was not facing any threat and had no reason to fear, rejecting suggestions that rallies were being organised because of concerns over the government’s stability.

“Do we have threats? Is that why we are holding rallies? No. This government has no threats. We are not scared,” the President stated.

President Dissanayake said a strong public movement was necessary to rebuild the country and called for fundamental changes to the country’s political, social and economic systems.

“We need to rebuild the country and change the political culture. We need a political transformation. We need major changes in society, the economy and politics,” he said.

Criticising the political practices of the past, he said politicians had previously been treated as being above the general public.

President Dissanayake also highlighted changes made by the NPP government since September 2024, saying it had begun dismantling what he described as outdated political practices and privileges.

He cited changes to the security arrangements surrounding politicians, saying large convoys that once accompanied politicians on visits to villages were no longer the norm.

“Now the police are there only for the protection of the public,” he said.

The President said the government had taken steps to move the country in a new direction and change what he described as the old political culture.