Sri Lanka recently held snap parliamentary elections on November 14, where 17.1 million citizens took to the polls. The elections are crucial for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is looking to solidify his mandate and push forward with much-needed economic reforms in the wake of the country’s severe national crisis.
The voting process saw 8,800 candidates vying for a spot, with a heavy security presence, including 80,000 police personnel and the use of drones to monitor the voting areas, marking a historic first for Sri Lanka. Voting concluded at 4:00 pm local time.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who became president in September after winning a decisive victory, is seeking to secure a two-thirds majority in Sri Lanka's 225-seat legislature.
His rise to power came with promises to tackle corruption, reclaim misappropriated assets, and restore the nation's economy. Dissanayake’s party, the National People's Power (NPP), led by the People's Liberation Front (JVP), enters the elections with only three seats in the previous parliament, but he remains hopeful that these elections will strengthen his position.
A veteran politician with over 20 years of experience, Dissanayake briefly served as Sri Lanka's agriculture minister. His JVP party has a history of insurgent activity, including two major insurrections in the 1970s and '80s, which caused the deaths of tens of thousands. Despite the party's violent past, Dissanayake came to power peacefully in September and has made significant strides toward stabilising the nation.
Voters, like 70-year-old Milton Gankandage from Colombo, express hope for a fresh start under Dissanayake’s leadership. “I expect a new country, a new government that is friendly towards the people,” he says. This sentiment reflects the widespread desire for change after years of disillusionment with previous administrations.
Dissanayake’s administration has faced challenges, including the controversial $2.9 billion IMF bailout that was initially brokered by his predecessor. While some, including major business leaders such as those from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, support the continued implementation of the bailout, believing it could pave the way for investor confidence and long-term economic stability, not everyone is on board. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has been vocal in his criticism, advocating for tax relief and pushing back on certain economic measures.
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