Minister Jeevan Thondaman has addressed recent criticism regarding the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) backing of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the 2019 presidential election, defending the decision while issuing a strong caution against the populist promises of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, whom he referred to as “Promise Premadasa.”
In a post on ‘X’, Thondaman explained that the CWC’s support for Rajapaksa in 2019 was based on his manifesto, which seemed to offer the best path for economic growth and tax relief. Representing a historically marginalised group, the CWC prioritized increasing daily wages to Rs. 1,000, an issue that businesses opposed due to a high-tax environment. “We supported GR’s 2019 manifesto because it promised economic growth and relief for the public, including tax cuts,” Thondaman explained, addressing journalist Kusum Wijesinghe from the SJB Youth Wing. “We believed his victory would best serve our community’s interests.”
However, the minister admitted that the economic crisis that followed prompted the CWC to reconsider their position. “We learned that populism does not solve economic problems,” Thondaman stated, acknowledging that the CWC shifted its support towards President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s focus on fiscal discipline and sustainable growth.
Thondaman argued that under Wickremesinghe’s leadership, Sri Lanka has seen improvements, including a 0.9% inflation rate, $6 billion in reserves, nearly 5% economic growth, and a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio. He emphasized that populist handouts only lead to currency depreciation and inflation, which he called the “biggest tax of all.”
The minister’s most pointed criticism was directed at Premadasa, warning that his populist promises could undo the country’s fragile recovery. Thondaman urged Premadasa to recognize the economic risks and withdraw his candidacy, suggesting he back Wickremesinghe’s recovery plans instead. “If Sajith Premadasa understands the dangers of his false promises and admits the economy is too fragile to gamble with, he should step aside and support #RecoveryRanil, instead of being #PromisePremadasa.”
The CWC’s evolving stance marks a significant political shift, with Thondaman advocating for long-term economic strategies to ensure national prosperity.