The Sunday Observer interviewed Keshal Jayasinghe, who is contesting the General Election under the symbol of the gas cylinder, to discuss what he has to say as a young politician.
In an era where voters are growing wary of empty promises and identity-based politics, Jayasinghe emphasises the need for a citizen-centric approach to governance. Jayasinghe also brings to attention the NPP Government’s unfulfilled pledges, including promises to lower taxes and renegotiate IMF terms.
Q: Why did you enter politics, and what led you to choose Colombo as your Constituency?
A: The key problem I see in Sri Lankan politics is that during elections, there are no practical discussions regarding the socio-economic and political issues that concern the citizens. In more developed countries, there is a focus on how the state framework could be shaped to resolve citizens’ issues. In contrast, in Sri Lanka, we see citizens being divided along lines of race, caste, religion, and occupation by political parties aiming to secure their vote bases.
Sidney Cain, an economist from the 1950s, said that the Sri Lankan political scene revolves around identity-related matters rather than citizen-related concerns. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who came to power by winning the 2024 election, also did so by adopting identitarian political agendas rather than addressing citizen-centric issues, gathering votes by appealing to various identity-based segments.
We also saw retired ex-military and police personnel and staff-grade officers of the administrative service being drawn into this identity-based political strategy. Instead, elections should promote citizen-centric policies to be implemented through the state. The main weakness in identity-centric politics is its reliance on patronage, serving as an extension of the old political system, which provided positions, benefits, and privileges to those who offered sponsorship to secure victory.
Now, it is time to eradicate this outdated political culture that jeopardises the nation’s future.
All 2024 Presidential candidates, except former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, proposed platforms that could be categorised as unrealistic pipe dreams. None, aside from Wickremesinghe, presented anything practical and attainable. This political culture of selling the nation’s future for power, which started, I think, around 1952, must come to an end. We need to initiate a new political culture that considers the future generation instead of the next election cycle.
This project begins in Colombo, as it has always been a trendsetter, whether commercially or culturally. Colombo has consistently been a trailblazer, and whatever starts here typically extends to the rest of the country.
Q: The gas cylinder symbol faced challenges at the recent Presidential Election under the leadership of former President Wickremesinghe. What are the key lessons from that experience, and how is the party addressing these in the current campaign?
A: The economic crisis of 2022 was unprecedented, and while other leaders were reluctant to confront it, Wickremesinghe took up the challenge, negotiating an IMF agreement to stabilise the country. This was an incredibly difficult period, but I saw first-hand how his commitment brought back some measure of hope for the future. The party was fully engaged in stabilising the country during that time, so internal party affairs understandably took a backseat.
Party matters didn’t take priority because everyone was dedicated to restoring stability and addressing the country’s pressing issues. Our lesson from this is to always remain honest.
As I said earlier, one key difference with Wickremesinghe is that he doesn’t promise pipe dreams or fairy-tale hopes. He always speaks the truth and, in his policies, only proposes attainable and practical measures. While these may not always be widely accepted, we, as a party, have consistently been straightforward in presenting what we can realistically offer the public.
This time, we’re contesting as a coalition. There are many parties involved, and I think the ‘Aragalaya’ gave us a clear signal. It wasn’t about any individuals per se; it was about ending the current political culture, which the country was fed up with. It wasn’t directed solely at the UNP, SLPP, or the NPP. It targeted all parties because each of them has played a part in the way the country has been run over the past 76 years. Even the NPP was part of Governments formed by Chandrika Bandaranaike and Mahinda Rajapaksa, so they can’t simply distance themselves from past issues. It was, in some ways, a collective mismanagement by all parties.
Returning to your question, I believe the youth really wanted change; they wanted truth and reality. I don’t think the party’s principles and values are old or outdated. The United National Party has always been inclusive, as its name suggests. Among all parties, it’s the one that truly embraces all communities in the country. People may have voted for the NPP because they were frustrated with certain individuals and factions in Sri Lankan politics. This time, however, I think it’s up to the people to carefully choose who they want to see in Parliament, regardless of the party. They should look at the candidates’ principles, policies, and records, and elect the best representatives.
While young people might want to see new faces, I believe there should also be experienced people in Parliament. This is, after all, the supreme body that legislates, updates laws, and holds financial control. The UNP has always adapted, introducing many young candidates across districts in this election, and I think this election will mark the beginning of a positive change.
As for regaining public trust given the party’s past performance, I think it’s important to understand that trust isn’t built overnight. It’s a gradual process. The key is to always speak the truth, as parties have often avoided doing so during elections or when governing. Tackling issues from a citizen-centric perspective is essential. The UNP is undergoing internal reforms, giving significant responsibilities to young members to move the party forward.
Q: Do you think there should be a change in the leadership of the UNP?
A: Well, that’s ultimately for the party members and leadership to decide. Personally, if I may use a sports analogy, I believe that Wickremesinghe, pound-for-pound ranks as the best politician in the country. Similar to how fighters are ranked regardless of weight class, I don’t think any politician today can match him. He should remain the leader, although I’m confident he’s preparing to pass on leadership to the next generation when the time comes.
Q: What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the people of Colombo, and what are your primary strategies to tackle them if elected?
A: I’ve been visiting various areas, and each has a different issue, but I think low-income housing is a major one. The living conditions in some areas are extremely poor, especially given the recent rains. Many people live in incredibly harsh conditions, and we need to address this. High-rise apartments would permit people to move out of slums, providing a basic necessity: a roof over their heads. The Government should intervene, and that’s why, under the previous administration, President Wickremesinghe initiated the Urumaya project, which planned to provide 250,000 housing units to low-income residents in Colombo. I believe this initiative should continue under President Dissanayake.
Although this isn’t exclusive to Colombo, I think we need a stronger focus on STEM subjects and digitalisation efforts. The previous Government began this work, introducing smart classrooms and AI clubs under Wickremesinghe. Housing and education are two areas we should concentrate on for meaningful improvement.
Q: What is the NPP Government doing right and also wrong at present?
A: When the NPP Government came into power, they made many promises to the public, but they have yet to honour these pledges. For example, they assured voters that they would renegotiate the terms of the agreement with the IMF, especially regarding the third tranche, which had been negotiated under Wickremesinghe’s administration. However, despite media reports on the pending agreement, President Dissanayake, who also serves as Finance Minister, has yet to update the public on the details. This is in stark contrast to Wickremesinghe, who kept the public informed about the IMF’s progress during his tenure.
Another example is the tax promises they made. The NPP said they would reduce or remove taxes on essential items, including food and healthcare, as well as raise the PAYE tax threshold, but these changes have not materialised. Instead, the only visible action has been a display of State vehicles at the start of their term, only to later return them to State officers, and a temporary reduction in egg prices, which didn’t last as market forces drove prices up again. The promise to lower fuel prices by cutting unnecessary taxes hasn’t been fulfilled either. The problem lies in giving people unrealistic promises rather than practical, attainable solutions.
Q: If given the opportunity, what would be your first legislative priority in Parliament to help bring positive change to society?
A: My first legislative priority would be to create a more inclusive society. This could take the form of a broad-based bill addressing gender equality and the rights of marginalised communities, including women, children, the LGBTQ community, estate workers, and other underprivileged groups. It would ensure that their voices are heard and their rights protected. Inclusivity is essential to creating a fairer society, where every community, regardless of social or economic status, can enjoy equal opportunities and support.