Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom
Associated PressSep 20
Sri Lanka: President Appoints New Cabinet
Above: Sri Lankan Pres. Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya pose for a photograph with newly appointed cabinet ministers on Nov. 18, 2024. Image copyright: Tharaka Basnayaka/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
Following a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections last week, Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning Pres. Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People's Power (NPP) Party has appointed a new 21-member cabinet.
While the Constitution requires a 30-member cabinet, Dissanayake — whose party won 159 of the 225 parliamentary seats — has formed a smaller cabinet as part of his pledge to streamline governance. He's also promised to create a new constitution.
The Spin
Narrative A
After a long struggle to rise to power, the NPP has finally done it and given people hope for a fresh, positive future. While critics claim the incoming government is inexperienced, the truth is that integrity, political will, and commitment matter more. These appointees are professionals who will base their government policies on expertise.
Narrative B
While it's completely understandable for the people to want systemic change, the NPP's Marxist ideas are the reasons that Sri Lanka is facing unemployment and debt issues. The economy needs to be saved through growth, not contraction. If NPP fails, the SJB Party will be ready to fix what ails Sri Lanka.