A change of guard in Sri Lanka amidst economic crisis and political reform

Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Designed by Pragyan Srivastava

Sapan News Network Backed by the National Peoples’ Power (NPP), a coalition rooted in Marxist-Leninist ideals, the rise of Dissanayake, known popularly as AKD, comes on the heels of one of the worst economic crises in the country’s history.

The new presidency, marked by promises of pragmatism and reform, is likely to redefine Sri Lanka’s political landscape, comments Handunnetti, an international award-winning investigative journalist. This potential for reform brings a sense of hope for a better future, challenging the dominance of traditional political parties and reshaping the country’s international relations, particularly with major geopolitical players like India.

Fernando vividly depicts Sri Lanka’s political landscape following Dissanayake’s presidential victory, highlighting how those who historically supported dynastic politics and suffered under authoritarian regimes, have embraced the opportunity for change. 

This progressive changing public sentiment towards AKD with the aragalaya protests of 2022 politics brings a sense of optimism for the future and marks a significant departure from the past, where his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was associated with violent uprisings. 

The Dissanayake campaign, rooted in inclusivity and reform, has resonated with a populace desperate for genuine leadership, observes Fernando. “In September 2024, many of the southern electorates the JVP of the late 1980s had terrorised turned out for the party’s leader, Dissanayake, in the presidential election.” 

The recent election saw over 5.5 million Sri Lankans cast their vote for Dissanayake, a leader largely viewed as a necessary ‘outsider’ amidst a sea of traditional politicians tainted by corruption and nepotism. His victory represents the JVP’s broader evolution as it has shed much of its controversial past while building political momentum in recent years.

However, the new president inherits a fraught relationship with India, exacerbated by historical mistrust rooted in the JVP’s early anti-India rhetoric. The JVP has long criticised Indian influence in the region. Dissanayake’s more recent opposition to Indian-funded infrastructure projects, notably those linked to the billionaire Gautam Adani, could strain relations with India, a key player in the region, predicts Handunnetti. 

But she notes that Dissanayake’s leadership also has the potential to foster cooperation with India, given Sri Lanka’s debt-ridden economy and need for international support. 

The situation presents broader regional concerns about economic stability, political accountability, and the role of major powers like India and China in shaping the future of smaller nations. 

These concerns include the impact of major powers’ investments on smaller nations’ sovereignty, the need for political leaders to be accountable to their citizens, and the challenges of maintaining economic stability in a rapidly changing global economy – issues highlighted in the recent Pulitzer Center-supported documentary ‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines’. 

These developments also touch on issues central to the wider Southasia Peace Action Network mission: promoting dialogue, understanding, and rights across the region.

With a legacy of conflict and a challenging road ahead, Dissanayake’s leadership is poised to play a critical role in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. His decisions on domestic reform and international diplomacy, particularly with India, will be closely watched by observers both within and outside Southasia.

The election on September 21 saw over 5.5 million Sri Lankans cast their vote for Dissanayake, a leader viewed by many as a necessary outsider amidst a sea of traditional politicians tainted by corruption and nepotism. Dissanayake’s victory represents a broader evolution of his party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has shed much of its controversial past while building political momentum in recent years.

However, the new president inherits a fraught relationship with India, exacerbated by historical mistrust rooted in the JVP’s early anti-India rhetoric. During the party’s earlier years, the JVP criticised Indian influence in the region, and more recently, Dissanayake has expressed opposition to Indian-funded infrastructure projects, notably those linked to Adani. The president’s balancing act will require careful navigation of these historical grievances. Yet, there is potential for Dissanayake’s leadership to foster cooperation with India, particularly in the context of Sri Lanka’s debt-ridden economy and need for international support, providing reassurance about the future of Sri Lanka’s international relations.

Dissanayake’s presidency is a topic of considerable discussion within Southasia, reflecting broader regional concerns about economic stability, political accountability, and the role of major powers like India and China in shaping the future of smaller nations. Sapan News Network has highlighted this significant development as it touches on issues central to our mission: promoting dialogue, understanding, and rights across Southasia.

With a legacy of conflict and a challenging road ahead, Dissanayake’s leadership is poised to play a critical role in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. His decisions on domestic reform and international diplomacy, particularly with India, will be closely watched and remain one of the key questions for observers both within and outside Southasia, engaging the audience in the unfolding narrative of Sri Lanka’s future.

(This brief report is based on a news report written by Dilrukshi Handunnetti, initially published in The New Indian Express. Dilrukshi is an adviser to Sapan News, an international award-winning investigative journalist, and a lawyer from Sri Lanka. She has worked extensively across Southasia as an on-ground reporter and trainer, dedicating much of her time to working with women journalists in the region.)