Ambitious, eccentric, and industrious. Dhishal Jayasinghe seeks to shape the county’s future with the lessons of his past. As asylum seeker, his childhood was inaugurated by a flight to the Golden State that he has called home for over 20 years. Watching and reading about his own country of Sri Lanka crumble under the weight of war, erasure of civil liberties, and terror has made him a proud patriot of this one.

 

A patriotism not constituted by military might, flags, and barbecues, but rather encompassed by grassroots movements: voter registration drives, ballot measures, and creation of self-government.

 

Dhishal has weathered storms of domestic abuse, poverty, and food insecurity. His callouses are his greatest strength. They were never in vain: the skills he has gained from these battles are in his permanent repertoire. Dhishal understands that change doesn’t materialize permanently through violence, Facebook posts, and alienation. Rather, he understands the system: he keeps those skills in his quiver, arrows of efficiency, of tact, of dexterity — all ready to draw as needed.

 

Dhishal does not move slowly. He is determined to return power to the people, he finds solace not in the spotlight but in waves, in crowds, and masses. Dhishal is your friend, your confidante, your foot soldier.

 

Creative, persistent, malleable. With years of practice despite his young age, Dhishal’s skills have ossified. His only goal for the conceivable future is to turn the tide of the Presidential election. He has devoted the next year to you. Use him.