News
Western Province: Undecided voters will be a decisive factor
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya and Nathara Abeywickrema
Colombo District
In the Colombo District, the campaigns were largely lacklustre, but voters are keen to cast their votes.
A majority said their choice would be from among the three main candidates, incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa, and National People’s Power leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while some expressed support for other candidates.
In the Fort and Pettah, traders expressed mixed feelings, with some wanting change, some a continuation of the current economic revival plan, while others wanted a leader with a good team.
Shoe trader T.C. Kumara, 50, said he believed past presidents had failed to look into issues concerning them. Hence, he has decided to vote for the NPP. “It’s a vote for a change candidate, as he has promised change. He said his vote was also against those who were responsible for causing the economic collapse.
Another trader, M. Imran (49) said he was impressed by the current leader and would support a candidate who would continue to build on these economic gains.
A young trader, Gajan Dinesh, said most traders in the Pettah would support President Ranil Wickremesinghe due to the economic and political stability he had brought about within a short period.
Businessman and tourism promoter Lalith Kariyawasam (64) said whoever came to office should not allow violence but promote tourism for the country to recover economically.
Colombo Municipal Council member and NPP organiser Samith Passaperuma said the party had gained support of Colombo people like never before, including minority communities.
Another CMC Member, N.M.M. Ayoob Khan, said his message to the people of the area was to vote for Mr. Wickremesinghe so he could continue his work and uplift the lives of the people.
At Maligawatta, three-wheel driver Zaid Mohomed said most UNP supporters had turned towards the NPP and the SJB.
Senior citizen N Fawzia Kuttilani said she had no income for herself and her husband and had to depend on their children. “We have no Samurdhi or any relief. Therefore, I too would support NPP even though I was a traditional UNP supporter.”
In Borella, there is support for all three main candidates but little support for Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna candidate Namal Rajapaksa and other presidential aspirants.
Senior citizen Seelawathie de Silva, a resident of Kithulwatta Road, said she would vote for Sajith Premadasa as she believed he would win the election.
Private hospital employee Roshan Prasad Samaranayaka, the breadwinner of a family of five, said he believed a majority of Borella people would vote for the NPP to change the political system and clean up the corrupt state service.
SJB organiser Liyanage Brishan Rupasinghe said that although the NPP had support in outstations, within the Colombo city limit, the support was largely for Mr. Premadasa and Mr. Wickremesinghe.
Gampaha District
Gampaha District voters, too, had mixed views on the main candidates with high expectations of economic recovery, action against corruption, and other such issues.
Many traditional voters in the Gampha electorate who have hitherto voted for the same party for decades have turned away this time and are supporting change, while some remain hesitant to express their true intentions due to political repercussions.
The SLPP’s Mahara electorate chief organiser, Sudeema Chandani, told the Sunday Times the party still had strong support despite top-level politicians having moved away to support other candidates.
She claimed that SLPP supporters were afraid to openly show their support, fearing that the NPP would attack them.
Some traditional voters have chosen to stick with their parties despite the shortcomings they see in them.
A.G. Manel (60), who sells pineapple on the Mahara-Gampaha Road, said she continued to support the SLPP despite not receiving benefits during the past elections.
On the Gampaha-Nattambuwa Road, a group of school van drivers support rival candidates but maintain a friendship among themselves. They advised people to vote for any candidate, respect the outcome, and avoid conflicts.
Small kiosk owner Gamini Liyange said he believed a tight contest was brewing between the NPP and the SJB.
In the Attanagalla electorate, voters appear to be divided into two main groups, with traditional supporters backing Mr. Premadasa and the youth supporting the NPP.
W.A. Wickramasinghe (69) was once a strong SLPP supporter. He said he would vote for the SJB candidate as he was grateful for things that the candidate’s father had done.
Nilanga Dushanthi Premaratne, 26, a first-time voter, said she would vote for the NPP candidate who had pledged to eradicate corruption.
Borodawatta Kottasa Sabawa chairman Indika Ratnakumara said the more people were supporting the NPP and the victory for the party was assured.
In Negombo, most residents said they believed the election had become a three-way battle while there was little support for the SLPP candidate.
Resident Andrew Pius said he was okay with all three candidates, but “whoever wins should slowly but steadily improve the economy.”
“Our country is like a patient in critical condition. Whoever comes to power needs to continue without major changes or else the economy will collapse again,” he warned.
Nimanda Perera (26), another resident, said she would vote for the NPP candidate.
“I was born in 1997, so I did not witness the JVP-linked violence. We can’t lament the past and remain in the same situation; times change; we have to take all opportunities to change the country,” she said.
Kalutara District
In the Kalutara district, several prominent politicians have changed sides. Rajitha Senaratne and Kumara Welgama left the SJB to support the incumbent president, along with Rohitha Abeygunawardena, crossing over from the SLPP to the president’s camp.
These factors, along with shifting political loyalties, have led to an unpredictable voter base as candidates try to sway those still undecided.
The Sunday Times spoke to residents from Bandaragama, Kalutara, and Bulathsinhala, capturing diverse perspectives on the upcoming vote.
Somawathi Vithanage, a 75-year-old lottery ticket seller from Bandaragama, remains uncertain about her vote, despite traditionally supporting the SLPP. The ongoing economic crisis and her memories of the 1989 JVP riots, where she lost her mother, have left her in conflict. For Ms. Vithanage, security is paramount, and she blames poor leadership for the country’s instability.
Similarly concerned about the future, Bandaragama resident Ruwan Chamara, a young grocery store owner, has placed his hopes on the NPP. He believes that an NPP government would enforce law and order fairly, ensuring transparency and accountability. Chamara also expressed frustration with the inadequate public transport system in his area, which he hoped the NPP would improve.
In Kothalawala, R.A. Premajayantha voiced disappointment over high unemployment and a lack of home ownership in his community. While his family previously supported the SLPP, they have shifted their allegiance to the NPP, believing it could bring meaningful change.
NPP activist Anura Samaraweera said the local youth were energised over an NPP-led government. He estimated that about 20% of young people in the area were active NPP supporters, while the remaining youth leaned toward the Frontline Socialist Party.
In contrast, D.P.V. Meegoda, coordinating an election office for the incumbent president in Bulathsinhala, said he believed most residents would support Mr. Wickremesinghe. “Flooding, which disrupts agriculture, is a major issue in the area. Residents trust that Mr. Wickremesinghe will address such challenges effectively.”
In Kandana, Mangala Kaluarachch said he would vote for the SJB, drawing inspiration from the leadership of Mr. Premadasa’s father, a former president. However, he said he feared Mr. Premadasa’s association with corrupt politicians might affect his support base.
The Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha former member, Buddhika Gunawardena, said many residents remained quiet about their political preferences. He is focused on promoting the SLPP’s vision to address the current crisis, though he noted only a few members in his area were actively supporting the party.
In Bulathsinhala, farmers S.A. Wijepala and K.A. Chaminda said that despite the NPP’s popularity among young people, the incumbent president was best suited to stabilise the country. We worry that entrusting a new leader with the nation’s future could worsen the crisis.
Ravishan Induwara, a 20-year-old first-time voter and technical college student, said he would support the NPP.
Kalutaran shop owner Mohammed Shams said his support was for Mr. Premadasa, as he believed he could reduce corruption and tackle the pressing issues concerning minority communities.
Tuk-tuk driver B. Janaka, who previously supported the SLPP, said he was undecided, felt voting for it would be futile this time.
(Additional reporting by Sarath Siriwardena)
Pix by Eshan Feranando
and Priyanka Samaraweera
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!