President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is urging voters to deliver a strong mandate to his National People’s Power (NPP) party in Thursday’s parliamentary election. Dissanayake aims to consolidate his party’s power to enact reforms he has promised, addressing Sri Lanka’s economic challenges and promoting good governance.
Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning leader, won the presidential election on September 21, defeating traditional parties that have long governed the island nation. His victory, while significant, lacked a majority vote, raising concerns over whether the NPP can secure enough seats to avoid reliance on a coalition in Parliament.
“We need a solid government in Parliament to rebuild the country,” Dissanayake told supporters on the last day of his campaign. “To accomplish this, we need elected members from our party to ensure stability.”
The parliamentary election comes as Sri Lanka continues to recover from its worst economic crisis, which saw the country declare bankruptcy after defaulting on its external debt in 2022. Dissanayake has stated that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team will arrive in Sri Lanka just two days after the election to complete a third review of the current economic agreement. This review is expected to conclude by February, at which time Dissanayake hopes to secure economic stability.
Dissanayake also announced that his government’s first budget, due in February, will aim to reduce taxes and increase salaries for government employees. These initiatives, he says, are vital steps toward economic recovery.
Jehan Perera, a political analyst, noted that Dissanayake has been cautious, adhering to many of his predecessor's policies to avoid destabilizing the economy. "He has been careful not to rock the boat, aware that any deviation from the IMF framework could have serious economic consequences,” Perera said.
Sri Lanka’s economic collapse stemmed from years of mismanagement, compounded by the pandemic and a sharp decline in tourism due to the 2019 terrorist attacks. COVID-19 also disrupted remittances from overseas Sri Lankans, further deepening the crisis.
The NPP's popularity has surged since Dissanayake’s election win, with citizens like Ruwan Sanjeewa expressing hope for change. “Traditional parties failed to deliver,” said Sanjeewa, who attended a rally in Gampaha. “I’m willing to give NPP a chance to make a difference.”
With a divided opposition and support growing, Dissanayake hopes the election will empower his administration to implement essential reforms and steer Sri Lanka toward a more stable future.