The recent Sri Lankan election results have caused a shift in the political landscape of the country following the victory of the left-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Representing the National People’s Power (NPP) alliance, Dissanayake's victory has been perceived as a rejection of the traditional political elite that has dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades, but why?
How Did He Win?
This election, doubling as one of the closest in the nation’s history, saw Dissanayake defeat Sajith Premadasa in a second-round vote after incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe was eliminated from the race.
Dissanayake, 55, won the presidency with 55.8 percent of the vote in the second round. His closest rival, Sajith Premadasa, got the remaining 44.2 percent of the vote. In the first round, Dissanayake failed to secure the 50 percent needed for victory but finished first with 42.3 percent support which was what led to the second round.
Following his victory, he took the oath of office at the Presidential Secretariat building in Colombo two days later.
Dissanayake’s victory represents a broader demand for systematic change, particularly in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s economic collapse and public protests in 2022, which unseated former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These protests, known as "Aragalaya" or "the struggle," were motivated by public discontent over widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, and a rapidly declining standard of living.
Sri Lanka faced severe shortages of essential goods, including food and medicine due to inflation. Dissanayake hails from the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which had a violent past but has since moderated its stance, capitalized on this public frustration by promising tough anti-corruption measures and good governance.
He mentioned this in his victory too. In his inauguration speech, Dissanayake pledged “cleaner” politics. “People have called for a different political culture,” he said. “I am ready to commit to that change.”
What Does This Mean For Sri Lanka?
His victory could be the beginning of a paradigm shift in the Sri Lankan government and by extension, South Asian politics. For decades, power in Sri Lanka has oscillated between two major parties, with leadership dominated by families like the Rajapaksas. The 2024 election, however, disrupted this trend.
Despite the JVP's ‘unfriendly’ history, Dissanayake has successfully rebranded the party as a platform for reform and justice since his campaign was based on transparency, economic recovery, and tackling poverty.
What Are Speculations Saying?
Dissanayake’s immediate challenge will be addressing Sri Lanka's struggling economy. While the previous government secured a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economic recovery remains precarious, with key sectors like tourism still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, Dissanayake must find ways to settle the country’s debt which includes a $7 billion owed to China.
Closing Note
It is without any doubt that the 2024 Sri Lanka election results have marked a turning point for the country. Many believe that Dissanayake's victory could set the stage for a new dawn of prosperity in the nation.