Speaking at the JHU's 8th party convention, general secretary Champika Ranawaka urged the party to develop a Sri Lanka that will 'suit our culture [and] people'.
Referring to 'certain forces' attempting to take Sri Lanka into a 'dark future' through forceful constitutional changes and a 'mental operation' against the government, he rallied JHU members to 'protect the peace we gained'.
Extracts from Ranawaka's address:
“We have to protect the peace we gained and protect dignity while developing and leading the country into the future. We should develop the country that will suit our culture, people, religions and respective races. We do not need to follow another Asian country”
"Some want to take away camps of law enforcement agencies from the North and Eastern Provinces."
”To bring the country back to a dark future some are engaged in a mental operation against the government. Necessary answers will be given to those who spread such base less rumours."
The JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya) is a constituent party of Sri Lanka's governing United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
The ultra-nationalist party was formed by Sinhala Buddhist monks in 2004.
Ranawaka is the regime's Power and Energy Minister.