Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom
Associated PressSEP 2024
Sri Lanka: Pres. Dissanayake's Coalition Wins Snap Polls
Above: Pres. Anura Kumara Dissanayake leaves a polling station after casting his ballot to vote in Sri Lanka's parliamentary election in Colombo on Nov. 14, 2024. Image copyright: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This election is a critical turning point for Sri Lanka. The sweeping mandate, including surprise backing from minority groups, is an unprecedented vote for change and grants Dissanayake greater power to implement anti-poverty and anti-corruption policies. The NPP represents a clean break from corrupt traditional politics and offers real systemic change through anti-corruption measures, economic reforms, and abolishing the executive presidency — essential for Sri Lanka's recovery from its longstanding financial crisis.
Narrative B
Dissanayake is a self-avowed Marxist, while his coalition has few leaders with governance and policy-making experience. The rapid rise of an inexperienced NPP leadership threatens stability and economic recovery, while its Marxist-leaning policies could jeopardize the IMF agreement and international debt restructuring efforts. Sri Lanka's economic situation remains precarious — how the country progresses from this point and carries through the reforms while navigating international commitments will be a real challenge for the new government.