Q: Do you feel that it might have been too soon for you to enter the Presidential race, given that you are still young?
A: This does affect some people in the party. If an older person comes forward, they say they are too old. If a younger person comes forward, they say they are too young. When you look at developed countries, it’s the young people of our age who have turned their economies around. Rather than focusing on age, we should consider who is capable of implementing our policies and who has the ability within the political framework. I have the necessary experience to take on those responsibilities.
Q: What can you say about your capability and suitability to contest in the Presidential election?
A: The decision to contest the Presidential election wasn’t made by me alone; it was a decision from our party. We approached this as a family. Initially, none of us were planning to run in the Presidential election. However, the party decided that, as the National Organiser of the party, I should be the one to contest. Therefore, I accepted the challenge as the National Organiser. Over the past two years, I have accomplished a lot. I’ve taken on the responsibility of understanding and advancing the party’s mechanisms and Mahinda Chinthana, and I’m now fully engaged in the election battle.
Q: Can you clarify the services you have rendered to the public during your political career?
A: Through the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, under the Government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we achieved rapid economic growth in this country. It was Mahinda Rajapaksa who created that era. During that time, per capita income, GDP, and the country’s economy doubled. However, when the Yahapalana Government came into power, everything changed. We were accused of corruption, subjected to various investigations, but I was acquitted by the courts. Gotabaya Rajapaksa inherited a country with a weak economy that had regressed. While also facing the Covid-19 pandemic, we went through a challenging period. However, it was brought down by a conspiracy. Within that government, we made policy decisions to boost the rural economy and reduce the tax burden. Despite the conspiracy that brought down the government, the State didn’t collapse. Even in the Opposition, we have continued our political journey.
Q: Many people say that you are trying to build a voter base because of your father, the former President. What do you say to that?
A: It’s true that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has the majority voter base in this country. Bandaranaike’s policies were abandoned by Chandrika Kumaratunga and others. Whether people will vote for us or not is up to the voters. My responsibility is to protect the policies of the party.
Q: Do you believe you can fulfill the responsibilities that your father carried out?
A: Yes, absolutely. I am ready to take on those responsibilities. I personally believe that those policies are what our country needs. I will advance the political policies introduced by Mahinda Rajapaksa while modernising them. We must move forward with these policies, protecting local thought and standing with the local farmer.
Q: You are entering the Presidential race as an alternative. Do you feel prepared for the election, especially since you suddenly came forward without prior preparation?
A: As a party, we were ready to contest the election. If you’re in politics, you have to accept challenges. When a challenge arises, taking it on is the responsibility of both a politician and a young person.
Q: As a young candidate, you stepped forward in response to the demands of the struggle. How do you plan to appeal to the youth?
A: Young people are intelligent. Therefore, they should practically evaluate all the candidates. They need to identify who is capable of implementing policies that are suitable for the country, protect local entrepreneurs, generate employment, increase state revenue without imposing taxes, and who has the right systems in place that align with our culture. I especially invite the youth who were part of the leftist movement of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to join hands with us. I also invite those who have left the Pohottuwa (SLPP). Furthermore, even those young people who haven’t aligned with any political ideology yet will realise, upon reviewing our policies, which political principles align with their aspirations.
Q: The party, which once had a 6.9 million-strong voter base, is now divided. Isn’t contesting the Presidential election at this moment a challenge?
A: If that 6.9 million support base were still intact, there would have been enough candidates to come forward. It’s because of the challenges that some have sought easier paths. We cannot take the easy way out in politics. The easy way in politics is to join the winning side or ally with others. That’s why those who have held Government positions since ’94 are still holding them. As people who carry responsibilities, we must stand by these policies in both easy and difficult times. Politics is indeed a challenge. It’s not going to be a beautiful journey. If someone expects to have a smooth political journey, that’s just an illusion.
Q: What are your thoughts on those who have abandoned this challenge?
A: Those were personal decisions they made. I think they were more hasty than I was. However, I respect their personal opinions.
Q: This time, you have to compete against three other major candidates. What do you think about winning the battle to become the 9th Executive President?
A: Our supporters quietly respect the policies. The political camp that loves this country has never betrayed it. Secondly, we are not the kind of people who would destroy the party for the sake of politics. I expect that those who are silent now will fulfill their duty when the time comes. I also believe that those who are actively working on the ground will fulfill their responsibilities.
Q: The majority of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is supporting the current President. Wouldn’t it have been better to support the current President at this point?
A: We provided support as needed. However, we could no longer agree with their policies. We couldn’t align with him on issues related to State assets and certain economic matters.
Q: Do you ever think that if you had supported back then, this strong party could have been preserved?
A: There are easy paths and difficult paths, as I mentioned before. If someone had chosen to prioritise their personal gain over policies, that would have been an easy path. However, to ensure the victory of the country, the party, and its policies, you have to take the difficult path. I believe we chose the right path.
Q: Many people say that you and others left the Government because the President didn’t meet your expectations. What do you think?
A: The biggest accusation against President Ranil Wickremesinghe was that he was fulfilling the Rajapaksas’ needs. So, this argument is not valid. It doesn’t make sense to criticise him for not doing something now when he was previously accused of doing too much. We never discussed personal matters, and he didn’t need to either. We left because his policies were not suitable for the country.
Q: Don’t you think people are confused due to political shifting?
A: Absolutely. Political shifting never really stops. Most of the time, it’s the politicians, not the people, who are switching sides. The people stay loyal to their camp, while the politicians shift allegiances.
Q: It’s reported that many who left the SLPP have now joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). What do you say about that?
A: Some members may have joined the SJB after the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna temporarily allied with the United National Party based on national necessity. I invite those individuals to join us again.
Q: Will the shifting of alliances change the outcome?
A: Shifting alliances won’t change the outcome. It’s the leaders at the top who are shifting. Our supporters remain with our policies.
Q: Do you have any plan to unite the SLPP supporters?
A: Yes, the election campaign has been planned for every constituency in Sri Lanka, and I, along with our party leaders, will be actively involved. We are committed to fulfilling all their needs.
Q: Both the current President and Sajith Premadasa have been discussing State employee salary increases. The Government has even obtained Cabinet approval. If you come to power, what measures will you take regarding salary increases?
A: Salary increases and job appointments should not be discussed on political stages. Public sector salaries should be adjusted in line with inflation, but this shouldn’t be an election promise made during a government transition. We’ve seen this happen repeatedly. The same Government that once called for tax increases is now promising salary increases. I will create a system for this.
Q: How do you plan to support the economic recovery through the “A Developed Country for You” policy statement?
A: To strengthen the rural economy in this country, we must empower local businesses. One step towards this is providing financial support to entrepreneurs through cooperative and rural banks. We will cultivate every possible crop on our land. We will provide relief to fishermen and ensure that every fish that can be caught is caught, reducing reliance on imports. Infrastructure development projects must be restarted, and necessary steps should be taken promptly to provide investors with all the required facilities.
Q: Can you outline your plan for providing rapid economic relief by reducing the heavy tax burden and ensuring people can afford three meals a day?
A: First, we need to reduce the tax rates. This should be done proportionately while increasing non-tax revenue without harming state income. The tax burden should be adjusted in a way that the public can feel the relief. We need to develop an economy where people can afford food and other necessities. Electricity and water bills should be reduced, and we should create opportunities by reducing the tax burden on solar energy. As we establish a stable Government, we must create a living environment where people can thrive. We also need to design a plan to attract investors.
Q: Do you have a strong team to achieve this?
A: Yes, we do. We have many experienced individuals from the business sector who have joined hands with us. Alongside the parliamentary elections, we should also hold provincial council elections.
We need to swiftly implement plans to improve services through local Government bodies and digitise the State machinery. Today, young people are leaving the country due to a lack of job opportunities, and we need to address the root causes. We should create a competitive market and ensure job opportunities are available. In regions lacking teachers, technology should be integrated to provide necessary educational content. We must also create space for English education after the O-levels. Whether young people choose vocational training, technical education, or pursue higher education, all paths should be given proper recognition and support.
Q: Can you clarify your plan to create 100,000 jobs in the IT sector?
A: During Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure, we initiated five technology parks. However, there are many issues in the IT sector, including the reluctance of investors to come forward. These issues need to be resolved.
Q: There are accusations that both the SJB and JVP are planning to take the country backward by altering IMF conditions. What is your stance on the IMF’s future program?
A: The IMF is not the only option. While it offers some benefits, there are also aspects that don’t suit us. Those who think the IMF is the only solution cannot develop this country. The IMF primarily focuses on managing State expenses and increasing state revenue. There is no obstacle from the IMF to developing the local economy or promoting entrepreneurship.
If at any point it becomes necessary to discuss the conditions, we will engage in discussions. Within this framework, we can easily implement our plans, and if any issues arise, we can negotiate with the IMF.
Q: Debt payments are set to begin in 2028. How do you plan to manage this without burdening the public?
A: We are clearly a Government that repays its debts. Our plan is to revitalise the domestic economy and create 1 million jobs over five years, along with initiatives like expanding ports and airports, all aimed at increasing State revenue. Therefore, by 2028, we believe we will be able to manage the debt repayments effectively without burdening the public. We have demonstrated our ability to do this in the past as well.
Q: Is there no invitation for those who have left the party?
A: I cannot make decisions on behalf of politicians, so I extend the invitation to our supporters. I invite them to join us and contribute to the efforts to uplift the country.
Q: What are your thoughts on victory after the 21st?
A: It’s clear that the people are aligned with our policies. Therefore, I believe our party can achieve victory at this Presidential election. This election is extremely critical. Many other policy statements contain political agendas and ideas that do not suit the country. So, the public must carefully consider what is truly best for the country and make an informed decision.
Translated by Sachitra Mahendra
