Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the JVP-led NPP, could easily qualify for a frequent flyer program if he used the same airline for his numerous international trips. Currently, he has taken wings to Japan.
In the recent past, he has visited Canada, the USA, Sweden, the UK, Italy, India, the UAE, and many other countries within the span of a few months. Supporters praise AKD for his global outreach and the visionary speeches he has been making at Sri Lankan diaspora gatherings. He has been warmly welcomed at these events and is often addressed as the future President of Sri Lanka.
However, there are also those who have raised their eyebrows at AKD’s foreign engagements. There have been allegations from the opposition that AKD has been involved in a massive fundraising drive with little or no accountability.
A columnist from the Sunday Times caught up with AKD just before he left for Japan, and this is what AKD had to say about the allegations that the NPP is collecting a lot of funds overseas during his visits:
On Allegations That the NPP Is Collecting a Lot of Funds Overseas During Your Visits:
“I have recently engaged in several overseas tours due to growing support for NPP politics among Sri Lankans abroad. These individuals can play a crucial role in our campaign through social media and by communicating our message to their families and friends back home. Many Sri Lankans overseas are professionals who bring new knowledge and perspectives, and part of my visits was to invite them to contribute to our nation’s rebuilding efforts. During these visits, I also met with high-profile Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to explore potential investments. It is important to clarify that these tours were not intended to solicit financial support. However, we do have party organisations in various countries, and any financial support they provide is transparently routed through the official banking system. We are always ready to disclose these details to the public.”
