Colombo | July 31, 2025
Former Member of Parliament Sunil Handunnetti has issued a strong call for civic engagement, warning that Sri Lanka risks remaining trapped in political and institutional stagnation if citizens do not question the status quo.
Speaking at a public awareness event held in Colombo, Handunnetti declared that meaningful reform is impossible without public pressure and scrutiny of systemic failures. “If the system is not questioned, we will lose all opportunity for change,” he said, emphasizing that the country’s recurring crises are rooted not just in individuals but in the structure of governance itself.
He urged Sri Lankans, especially the younger generation, to be vigilant and proactive in challenging corruption, inefficiency, and centralization of power. “We must move beyond surface-level criticism and begin to understand and reform the mechanisms that allow exploitation to persist,” he added.
Handunnetti’s remarks come amid a broader national conversation about political accountability and public sector reform. Civil society groups have increasingly echoed similar sentiments, arguing that silence and inaction from the public embolden those who exploit state systems for personal gain.
The former JVP lawmaker concluded his address by stating that systemic change requires not only resistance but also consistent civic participation, constructive dialogue, and the courage to demand transparency from those in power.
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