Q: Why did you return to your old party after previously declaring you were taking a new path? Why do you keep changing political parties?
A. I was never a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member. We were part of an alliance based on a prior agreement. Despite various attempts to undermine us, we are exactly where we were. Different people in politics make different statements, but we worked independently in Parliament and during elections. We also openly presented a series of policies and engaged in discussions with various parties. It was the Samagi Jana Balawegaya that provided us with a satisfactory response.
Q: What is the path being forged by the Eksath Janaraja Peramuna led by you?
A. The party will maintain its identity and continue to move forward. It was simply an alliance, and there was no dissolution of the party involved.
Q: What were the conditions agreed on when the alliance with the SJB was formed?
A. There are no conditions. We presented a series of policies, and there was a basic agreement on them. Preparations are now underway to incorporate the key points into the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya (SJS).
Q: Do you believe the SJS will have a promising future after the upcoming Presidential election?
A. Definitely. For the first time, in the history of a bankrupt country, the Presidential election battle is not between the Government and the Opposition but between two Opposition parties: the National People’s Power (NPP) and the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya (SJS). Instead of the Marxist NPP, the Social Democratic SJS is expected to emerge victorious.
Q: However it appears that certain groups are leaving the SJS fold. Your comment?
A. These are private issues. More people are joining as well. They have the political freedom to do that.
Q: Certain groups are joining the Government. Doesn’t this mean the Government is becoming powerful as well?
A. There are both good and bad individuals within the Government, and some are responsible for the current crisis. However, our focus is not on individual character but on policy. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s approach is politically undemocratic and economically neoliberal, which we believe does not fit the needs of this country. That’s why we have opted for a social democratic policy.
Q: You held several discussions with the current President. It is said you extended your support to the SJB as your proposals were not addressed. Your comment?
A. Certainly, we discussed these issues extensively. I visited the Sirikota headquarters specifically to address them, but we couldn’t reach an agreement. For instance, we strongly oppose the President’s approach to the energy sector. The same goes for Government institutions. While he has certain views on financial stability, the Government has failed to address critical issues such as tax exemptions for alcohol producers.
Q: Can this situation change if Sajith Premadasa becomes President?
A. This is a collaborative effort focused on policy matters. We recognise the risks involved and are concerned about a populist Marxist agenda that aims to transform this country into another Venezuela or Cuba. The current government’s initiatives are insufficient to counteract this threat, as it is plagued by corruption. There is a public eager to vote against them. Currently, the President is acting in defiance of court orders, which is highly concerning.
Q: It is said the Government is being rejected due to the presence of the Rajapaksa clan. However, they have now left the Government. Your comment?
A. There has been some dissemination of false information. Although we are friendly with groups that support the President and agree with certain policies, the problem is that they pursue their own agenda without considering other viewpoints.
We will not form any alliance with the Rajapaksas, who bear greater responsibility for this issue than the JVP. The general public is urged to protest against the Rajapaksas, who are responsible for the bankruptcy, and to oppose the Pohottuwa. The issue is not merely that the Rajapaksas have left; our concern is with the President’s program, which we cannot support.
Q: The JVP claims the political campaign of both Sajith and Ranil is limited to gathering MPs who are willing to cross over. Your comment?
A. The NPP today is the former JVP itself. In 1994 they contested under the Flower Pot sign Ariya Bulegoda, following President Wijetunga’s decision to lift the ban on the JVP. Subsequently, the party ran in elections with the bell symbol, and its leader, Nandana Gunathilaka, later became affiliated with the United National Party (UNP). Eventually, in 2005, the JVP aligned itself with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and helped Mahinda Rajapaksa. When confronted with the war in the North and East, the JVP allied with the United National Party (UNP) in opposition to it. Later, they formed a coalition with Sarath Fonseka, the UNP, and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to vote in the 2010 elections. In 2015, the JVP joined forces with other parties to support Maithripala Sirisena. Subsequently, they adopted the compass symbol and continued to participate actively in elections. One of the biggest ironies in politics is that several recent members of the party were previously associated with Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These individuals, who are professionals, were involved in the policies that contributed to the country’s economic collapse. Now, they are trying to distance themselves from their past actions, which many view as a significant political joke.
Q: Do you think the people will vote differently just because the people’s representatives change?
A. Some voters do not. Voting often depends on party affiliation. Due to the bankruptcy crisis, traditional parties face significant challenges in the polls. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has lost its relevance in this election, the United National Party has also declined, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna is expected to fall as well.
Q: Why did you not join the Presidential election battle this time?
A. The country faces two major challenges: overcoming the economic crisis and preventing it from succumbing to populism and becoming like Venezuela. Addressing these issues cannot be done alone; it requires a united team effort.
Q: In the recent past you were seen praising the President’s economic program. Your comment?
A. The steps taken by Ranil Wickremesinghe to stabilise public finances are commendable compared to the Rajapaksa administration. However, these measures are not unprecedented. Similar policies, guided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have been employed by other countries, such as Argentina and Pakistan, to achieve fiscal stability. This initiative stems more from the IMF’s principles than from Ranil Wickremesinghe’s qualifications. The Rajapaksa family had been reluctant to implement it. However, Wickremesinghe’s error lies in shifting the burden of this crisis onto ordinary people.
Q: According to you Sri Lanka will witness a golden era after September 21. Can a Government led by Sajith Premadasa successfully face the challenge of rebuilding the country?
A. As a group, we are committed to introducing a series of new policies aimed at boosting the country’s economy and increasing Government revenue. We have navigated through significant challenges and view this as a collective effort rather than an individual achievement. The more inclusive democratic approach advocated by Sajith Premadasa will facilitate this process and contribute to its success.
Q: Can you predict the party’s success?
A. An essential aspect of this battle is securing the support of all demographic groups and forging practical agreements with foreign countries.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has a significant opportunity to address both these issues effectively. There’s no need for a runoff this time. In the final week, both candidates, representing the NPP and the SJB, will emerge as the frontrunners.
Translated by Maneksha Borham
