AKD Calls for Institutional Reform At National Poson Festival

COLOMBO (News 1st) - During the national Poson Full Moon Poya Day celebrations, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out the deterioration of Sri Lanka’s public institutions and the urgent need for reform.

Speaking at Mihintale, President Dissanayake highlighted the systemic corruption that has plagued law enforcement, immigration, prisons, and regulatory bodies. 

He criticized certain factions within the police force for protecting criminals rather than enforcing justice and called out the immigration department for issuing fraudulent passports to underworld figures.

“Nearly every institution has faltered, and the challenge before us is to rebuild a culture of accountability across all sectors,” Dissanayake declared. 

He emphasized the importance of Buddhist heritage in shaping Sri Lanka’s national identity, lamenting the erosion of ethical standards despite a two-thousand-year legacy of spiritual teachings.

He framed the Poson festival as a moment for renewal and transformation. "We must make a commitment—to revitalize the spiritual essence of life and rebuild a strong, well-functioning society," he asserted.