Sri Lanka Holds Snap Parliamentary Elections Amid Divided Opposition, Results Expected Friday
Colombo: Sri Lanka heads to the polls on Thursday for a snap parliamentary election, marking the country’s second national election in a matter of months. The opposition remains fragmented following its significant defeat in the presidential election, which saw Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s first leftist president, emerging victorious.
Dissanayake, who won the presidency, called for these early parliamentary elections as part of his campaign to tackle corruption and recover assets looted from the country. His party, the People’s Liberation Front (JVP), is widely expected to dominate the election, with analysts predicting that the opposition is too disorganized and divided to present a formidable challenge.
The newly elected president is aiming for a two-thirds majority in the 225-member parliament to push forward his reform agenda. This follows Sri Lanka’s devastating economic crisis in 2022, which resulted in the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and widespread protests.
Polling began at 7:00 am local time (0130 GMT) on Thursday and will conclude at 4:00 pm, with results expected by Friday. Over 17.1 million eligible voters are casting their ballots, with 8,800 candidates vying for seats in the legislature.
Dissanayake’s JVP, which leads the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, is aiming to form the next government. Currently, the NPP holds only three seats in the outgoing parliament, but Dissanayake, a former parliamentarian with nearly 25 years of experience, seeks to distance himself from the traditional political elites who are seen as contributors to the country’s economic downfall.
While Dissanayake had initially promised to renegotiate a $2.9 billion bailout loan secured by his predecessor, he has now opted to maintain the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has expressed cautious support for Dissanayake, hoping that his proposed reforms will pave the way for long-term economic stability and growth.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, who campaigned for a coalition government, has vowed to push Dissanayake to deliver on his promises, including tax cuts. However, many political analysts believe the election’s outcome is effectively a foregone conclusion due to the opposition’s disarray and lack of an organized campaign.
Political analyst Kusal Perera noted that the opposition parties have conducted minimal campaigning, contributing to the sense that the election’s outcome is nearly certain. Many high-profile politicians from the previous administration, including figures associated with the Rajapaksa family, have chosen not to run, further diminishing the opposition’s appeal.
Sri Lanka’s outgoing parliament, which was once dominated by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s party, is now fractured. Rajapaksa’s son, Namal Rajapaksa, a former sports minister, is among those seeking re-election, but the broader political landscape has shifted significantly in recent months.
With the election expected to pave the way for the next phase of Sri Lanka’s political and economic transformation, the focus now turns to how Dissanayake’s reforms will shape the nation’s future and address the lingering economic challenges.
