Q: You have been quiet in recent times. What made you take such a sensitive decision in your political career?
A. I was deeply disappointed with our party’s performance, a regret I’ve carried since 2021. Despite this, I fulfilled all the responsibilities entrusted to me by the party, including managing the tasks related to the seat assigned to me over the past three years. My aim was to keep the party united, but my efforts to bring everyone together were not welcomed.
A group prioritised their own benefits, which created challenges. The situation in the country today is different from what it was then, so I had to consider what might happen next. I took a step back, allowing others to continue while standing firm in my own position. Despite everything, I never believed that changing parties was the solution.
Q: Currently there is a rumour spreading that you will be appointed as the General Secretary of the UNP. Your comment?
A. I have now been appointed as the General Secretary of the United National Party. Some people claim that I joined the party to seek this position, but I have never discussed or negotiated for any post. This decision was made after careful and independent consideration. It wasn’t influenced by a desire to persuade anyone, make requests, or satisfy someone else’s needs.
The only connection I had was with the people who voted for me in 2020. That was a tough election, where we fought with the support of 6.9 million people. This is why I made my decision without consulting my supporters—because I couldn’t risk later hearing that they felt misled. If I had been there to explain my decision, I wouldn’t have been able to follow through with it.
Q: You could have perhaps decided to leave the party earlier. Why did you not do that?
A. We are elected to Parliament for five years. During that time, I had taken on the role of seat organiser for a new party, with many people supporting me. I felt a strong responsibility toward them. I believed I should make this decision when I could still do something positive for the country. I made this choice to demonstrate that anyone in a position of responsibility can take decisive action when the time is right. It wouldn’t have made a difference if I had resigned a month earlier, nor would it have mattered if I had done it last year. I made this decision only after the election was announced. However, there were several internal issues within the party organisation that prompted me to expedite my decision.
Q: What hastened your exit from the SJB?
A. In 2019, I was responsible for organising Ratnapura during Sajith Premadasa’s Presidential campaign, working tirelessly day and night without even having proper party offices. For 25 years, I managed a constituency where our party had 13 different organisers. However, building trust within the party is a challenging task. Moving away from the seat I had held required a significant sacrifice on my part.
After all my efforts, the party’s General Secretary suddenly handed over the responsibility of launching the Presidential election campaign to an outsider this time.
Various individuals were appointed to key positions in the seats, which accelerated my decision to withdraw. If not for these actions, perhaps this decision wouldn’t have unfolded in the same way. I feel compelled to convey two important messages.
First, it’s crucial that someone capable of addressing our country’s issues is given responsibility through Parliament. I believe this could have been managed within the party, without me needing to leave Parliament. However, my decision to step away wasn’t driven by any external factors; rather, it stemmed from my exhaustion with the party’s internal workings and politics.
I began feeling frustrated in 2021, but I didn’t let it deter me. My appointment wasn’t made by the party leader or General Secretary; it was bestowed upon me by the people. That’s why I continued to work diligently, always keeping their interests at the forefront.
Q: Are you insinuating that it was the SJB itself that led to your disillusionment about politics?
A. Some people claim that my resignation was due to not being given district leadership. However, those who know me understand that I’m not someone who chases after positions or seeks favours from leaders. My focus has always been on the politics of my brother. People can try to create any narrative they want from their platforms, but those who truly know me understand the truth.
Q: It is rumoured the party even attempted to block your last speech by not allocating a time for it?
A. I had to resign, and when I asked Lakshman Kiriella for some time to make a proper speech, he told me I would only have two or three minutes. It’s impossible to deliver a meaningful statement in such a short time. The intention for my resignation was known for the entire last week. I met the Speaker and informed him of my situation. The Speaker acknowledged the need for a special statement and assured me that I would be given the opportunity to address it.
Q: Currently there is a split within the SJB. A large number of people have left its fold. Would your sudden departure also not pose a challenge for the party as well?
A. I don’t believe my resignation will have any significant effect. If it were to, such considerations should have been addressed from the outset. Sajith Premadasa, as the party leader, assured us in our first meeting that leadership was democratic and that everyone’s opinions would be considered. I make decisions based on my principles, unlike other leaders. Yet, despite this, I was ultimately unable to secure an appointment to meet with him.
Q: In your speech it appears you accused Sajith Premadasa of causing a rift within the UNP. Can you elaborate on this?
A. Since 2011, I have supported Sajith Premadasa, even when he was vying for the position of deputy leader of the United National Party (UNP). At that time, he had no significant support base. In the aftermath of the war victory, there was widespread disillusionment with Ranil Wickremesinghe. We believed that Sajith Premadasa’s emergence as the leader of the UNP would be crucial. However, after the 2019 Presidential election, there was a request for us to be given the prime ministerial candidacy and the elephant symbol for the 2020 general election.
Then, internal protests erupted within the party. Many members, including myself, felt compelled to leave, as we could not remain associated with a faction that opposed us. Some people now accuse me of having worked to fracture the party while claiming to be dedicated to uniting it.
Those who have only recently joined or come from other factions may not fully understand the complexities of the situation.
Only those of us who have been long standing members of the United National Party truly feel this. I did not contribute to the party’s fragmentation; I left because the party was already fractured. I met Ranil Wickremesinghe in September 2020 to discuss these concerns, but Sajith Premadasa lacked a practical approach to resolving them.
Q: Is the SJB now significantly fractured? Your comment?
A. I haven’t discussed this decision with anyone; it was made independently. Some claim I sought the position of General Secretary, but I can’t address baseless accusations.
Q: Your original camp was the UNP. There are talks you plan to rejoin its fold. Your comment?
A. I will now meet the people who trusted me. I have not yet decided whom I will support in the presidential election. This has been a very difficult decision for me, and I need time to recover from it.
Q: You mentioned that it goes against your conscience for the United National Party leadership and the former deputy leadership to run separately in the Presidential election. Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who recently left the party, has said he cannot be part of what he sees as a betrayal harming the country. What are your thoughts on his comments?
A. It’s not surprising. Back in 2013, when there was significant disagreement between the two factions, I tried to bring them together on a single platform. There were times when I was unhappy with the decisions that were made.
Q: The President invited them several times to join hands to rebuild the country. But they refused. Is this a sign of the Opposition Leader’s drive to become the President?
A. That is what is felt. A potential path forward could have involved taking on the responsibilities of governance by the SJB.
Q: Do you think the Opposition Leader can continue the responsibilities shouldered by the current President? He claims he has the right team for this.
A. I have serious doubts regarding this. But maybe he can. I do not know about this.
Q: You also said that the obstacle in the form of the Rajapaksa clan preventing Sajith Premadasa from joining the Government is now more. You said therefore he is now shirking his responsibility. Your comment?
A. I was not involved in any of their discussions, and ultimately, I did not see any situation where they respected others’ opinions.
Q: You also claimed the corrupt are now joining the SJB. Your comment?
A. Yes, I believe so but I do not know if the public is of the same view.
Q: Do you not feel you could have taken this decision while remaining in your MP post?
A. I entered Parliament with the mandate of the SJB, and the seat belongs to the party. There was no need for me to become independent. Many people speculated that I might switch parties. Recently, I have been staying on the sidelines and not meeting with anyone.
Q: Following the Aragalaya, the Opposition Leader refused to take up the premiership. Can you recall what took place then?
A. At that time, I was also opposed to him assuming the post. I did not want to serve under Rajapaksa. We were aware of the situation then; he was a President who said, “Circular is what I utter.” His reluctance to take on the role was not due to our objections but rather Sajith Premadasa’s other considerations.
Q: Do you believe the economy improved under the current President?
A. I’m not an economist, but I can share my perspective. I remember when cement was priced at Rs. 3,250 rupees and milk powder at Rs. 450. The changes we’ve seen have brought the country to a different level today. While the situation has improved, we still face challenges, particularly with managing our debt. Regardless of who wins the upcoming election, a solid plan for handling this issue is essential. We need to ensure that we move forward constructively; otherwise, we risk regressing.
Q: What is the role of the people in the upcoming Presidential election, and how does it relate to the quality of their lives?
A. The responsibility of the people is actually on the leaders and Government of a country. Through this process, the election outcome will determine how effectively the Government addresses essential needs such as food, drink, and overall quality of life for its citizens.
Q: Will you bid goodbye to politics?
A. I’m still considering my options. There is a team relying on me, and I have to take their needs into account. I will definitely decide on my next steps. While I have my own views and principles, I can’t say at this moment what my future actions will be.
Q: Will you contest the upcoming parliamentary election?
A. I cannot comment at this juncture. I will respond when an election is called.
Translated by Maneksha Borham
