Sarvajana Balaya presidential candidate Dilith Jayaweera urged voters to seize what he described as a “golden opportunity” in the upcoming election to bring about the long-awaited change in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. Addressing a large crowd at a rally held near the Kaduruwela bus station in Polonnaruwa on September 13, Jayaweera emphasized the need to break free from the cycle of deceit and corruption that has dominated past governments.
Jayaweera highlighted that the people have been continually deceived by successive rulers, and now is the time to push for a new era where politicians prioritize the needs of the people over their own interests. He said, “The rulers who always deceive the people must be driven out, and the politics of the ‘star’—representing Sarvajana Balaya—should be given priority.”
Reflecting on his personal political journey, Jayaweera spoke about his involvement in past political movements, stating that he had worked with key figures in Sri Lankan politics, such as Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Sarath Fonseka. He explained that while he played roles in supporting various political leaders, he realized that these systems of governance were flawed and had failed to deliver on their promises.
“I carried betel leaves from house to house to bring Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa into power, and then worked with Sarath Fonseka to challenge that same regime. Later, I saw Ranil Wickremesinghe rise to power, but that too ended in disappointment, with the creation of the FCID (Financial Crimes Investigation Division) and other unfulfilled promises. Every government I have been involved with has fallen short,” he said.
Jayaweera contrasted his own platform with that of other political figures, singling out Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power (NPP). He acknowledged that Dissanayake represents the desire of many to challenge the existing political system but argued that his own movement, Sarvajana Balaya, is the only one capable of delivering real change.
He concluded by urging the people to become the ‘star’ themselves by supporting Sarvajana Balaya’s political vision: “This is your chance to drive away all the corrupt politicians. Become the star of this change, and let the politics of the star guide us to victory.”
The rally in Kaduruwela is part of Jayaweera’s broader “Dilit Gamata” public meeting series, where he aims to connect directly with voters across the country, sharing his vision for a future under Sarvajana Balaya leadership.
