Colombo:
The leftist coalition led by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake achieved a significant victory in the recent snap legislative elections, as reported on Friday. This outcome reflects a clear rejection by voters of the establishment parties that have been held responsible for the ongoing economic crisis.
Dissanayake, who identifies as a Marxist, previously won the presidential elections in September, pledging to tackle corruption and recover misappropriated assets. This promise came in the wake of a prolonged financial downturn that has caused considerable hardship across the nation. His decision to promptly call for elections to secure parliamentary support for his initiatives proved to be a wise move, with his National People’s Power (NPP) coalition securing at least 123 seats in the 225-member assembly, and the potential to gain additional seats.
The coalition garnered an impressive 62 percent of the votes counted thus far, while the opposition leader Sajith Premadasa’s party lagged significantly with only 18 percent. “People voted to eliminate corruption and a corrupt system,” stated IT professional Chanaka Rajapaksha, a supporter of the NPP, in an interview with AFP on Friday.
Notably, Dissanayake’s party achieved a historic milestone by winning the highest number of votes in the northern district of Jaffna, an area predominantly inhabited by the Tamil minority, marking the first time this has occurred since Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948.
Dissanayake, aged 55 and the son of a laborer, expressed his anticipation of a “strong majority” in parliament to advance his agenda after casting his vote in Thursday’s election. “We believe that this is a crucial election that will mark a turning point in Sri Lanka,” he remarked. “At this election, the NPP expects a mandate for a very strong majority in parliament.”
According to police reports, the nine-hour voting period concluded without any incidents of violence, a departure from the trend observed in recent elections. However, three election workers, including a police constable, tragically passed away due to illness while on duty.
Voter turnout was estimated to be below 70 percent, a decrease compared to the nearly 80 percent participation in the September presidential elections.
Dissanayake served as a Member of Parliament for nearly 25 years and held the position of agriculture minister for a brief period; however, his National People’s Power (NPP) coalition secured only three seats in the previous assembly.
He ascended to the presidency by effectively distancing himself from established politicians who were held accountable for leading the nation into the economic crisis of 2022. This financial collapse marked the most severe in the history of Sri Lanka as an independent nation, resulting in prolonged shortages of food, fuel, and essential medications.
The widespread public discontent culminated in the invasion of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence, which led to his resignation and subsequent temporary exile.
Dissanayake’s commitment to transforming a “corrupt” political culture has struck a chord with millions of Sri Lankans who are grappling with the challenges of rising living costs due to tax increases and other austerity measures implemented to stabilize the country’s finances.
The JVP party, a key member of the NPP coalition, instigated two uprisings in 1971 and 1987, leading to a tragic toll of at least 80,000 lives.
However, he took the oath of office following the presidential elections in September, which were characterized as among the most peaceful in the history of the island nation.
‘Investor confidence’
In Dissanayake’s office in the capital, one can find portraits of notable communist figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Friedrich Engels, and Fidel Castro.
Despite his initial popularity, he has moderated some of his policies, expressing support for an open economy and a willingness to consider privatization.
Dissanayake campaigned with a promise to renegotiate a contentious $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that was arranged by his predecessor.
Nevertheless, upon assuming office, he has decided to uphold the current agreement with the international financial institution.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the primary private sector association in the country, is quietly backing Dissanayake and his initiatives.
Since Dissanayake’s election to the presidency, Sri Lanka’s stock market has experienced a rise of over 16 percent within eight weeks.
‘Opposition is dead’
Election monitors and analysts noted that the recent election did not evoke the same level of excitement or violence as seen in previous contests.
“The opposition is dead,” remarked political analyst Kusal Perera prior to the election. “The outcome of the election is already determined.”
The previous parliament was largely influenced by Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, two brothers from a prominent political family who have both held the presidency, but it has since fractured.
Neither of the Rajapaksa brothers is running in the current election; however, Mahinda’s son Namal, a former minister of sports, is vying for re-election.
