AWB congratulates the new government and urges collaboration with civil organisations to ensure lasting peace and justice.
Since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has faced persistent challenges in achieving peace and harmony. Two major Buddhist-led political parties dominated the nation’s governance for decades, often exploiting racism as a political tool. Institutionalised discrimination and widespread human rights violations led to a devastating civil war that lasted over three decades, culminating in 2009. The war caused significant civilian casualties, particularly among the Hindu Tamil minority, and left the country grappling with deep-seated ethnic divisions.
In the years following the war, the Rajapaksa family held power, but allegations of war crimes and corruption characterised their rule. By 2022, the country faced an economic meltdown, triggering mass protests that ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who temporarily assumed leadership, struggled to meet public demands for meaningful reforms.
This set the stage for an unprecedented political shift. In September 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition was elected president, marking a rejection of traditional political parties. His Marxist-leaning coalition campaigned on promises to combat corruption, recover stolen assets, and address the economic crisis. The victory resonated with a population weary of austerity measures and systemic inequality.
In November 2024, snap parliamentary elections further solidified Dissanayake’s mandate, with the NPP securing a two-thirds majority in parliament. Winning 159 out of 225 seats, the coalition now holds the power to enact transformative policies. Notably, this election also marked a significant shift in the electoral landscape, as the NPP gained traction in Tamil-majority areas traditionally distrustful of Sinhalese leaders.
President Dissanayake has vowed to address corruption, renegotiate Sri Lanka’s IMF bailout terms, and amend the constitution to dismantle the executive presidency’s excessive powers. These pledges, if fulfilled, could steer the nation toward greater accountability and inclusivity. However, observers caution that the concentration of power in the ruling coalition requires vigilant checks to prevent abuses.
While Activists Without Borders congratulates the new government on its historic victory, we urge the leadership to prioritise constitutional reforms that uphold human rights and strengthen democratic institutions. We encourage collaboration with civil society organisations to ensure transparency, protect freedoms, and foster lasting peace and harmony across all communities in Sri Lanka.
