Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti has voiced frustration over what he perceives as a lack of respect toward President Anura Kumara Dissanayake from certain segments of society. Speaking at a recent public rally, Handunnetti highlighted that unlike previous presidents such as Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, who were commonly addressed with formal honorifics like “Sir” or “Janadhipathithuma,” Dissanayake has not received similar treatment.

Handunnetti suggested that this reluctance stems from an unwillingness to accept an “outsider” as president, despite Dissanayake having been elected by the people. He emphasized that while past leaders were readily acknowledged with deference, the current president faces hesitation and even dismissal in conventional forms of address. “They don’t want to address him as ‘Sir’ or ‘Janadhipathithuma.’ It is because they have a complex and don’t want to accept he has been elected by the people,” the minister said during his remarks.

Observers note that the terminology used to address President Dissanayake is influenced in part by members of his own party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), and its coalition partners such as the National People’s Power (NPP). These groups traditionally refer to the president as “Sahodaraya,” meaning “comrade,” rather than employing more formal titles. This practice has set a precedent within their circles, contributing to the broader discourse on respect and recognition accorded to the president.

Handunnetti’s comments reflect internal dynamics and differing expectations regarding political protocol and honorifics in Sri Lanka’s current political landscape. His remarks also bring attention to how party culture and societal perceptions intersect in shaping the public’s engagement with national leadership.