In a recent interview with the Sunday Observer, Dilith Jayaweera, leader of the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) and the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ Alliance, laid out his vision for the future of Sri Lanka, targeting the significant portion of the electorate that remains undecided. With more than 40 percent of the votes up for grabs, Jayaweera is betting on this floating vote to carve out his place in the political arena. Known for his outspoken support for former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Jayaweera now presents himself as a candidate with a difference who brings fresh ideas and claims to be an experienced manager for a systemic change.
Q: You were a fierce advocate for former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last time. You judged him the most suitable candidate for the presidency, then. Why would people trust your judgment this time, as history suggests otherwise? A: My judgment of him was based on a few factors.
I knew him as an efficient manager because I met him during the war. At the start of the war , we broke off the campaign “Api Wenuwen Api” to motivate the Sri Lankan people and the tri forces, and with that, I had a close connection with him. During that time, he managed all the resources very effectively, which gave me confidence in the first place.
Secondly, when he was the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, he added much aesthetic value to this nation, which I had never seen in post-independence Sri Lanka. Colombo did not have pavements or pro.