Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom
Associated PressSEP 2024
This election is a critical turning point for Sri Lanka. The sweeping mandate, including surprise backing from the minorities, is an unprecedented vote for change and grants Dissanayake greater power to implement anti-poverty and anti-corruption policies. The NPP represents a clean break from corrupt traditional politics and offers real systemic change through anti-corruption measures, economic reforms, and abolishing the executive presidency, which— is essential for Sri Lanka's recovery from its longstanding financial crisis.
Dissanayake is a self-avowed Marxist, while his coalition has few leaders with governance and policy-making experience. The rapid rise of an inexperienced NPP leadership threatens stability and economic recovery, aswhile many candidates lack political experience and their Marxist-leaning policies could jeopardize the IMF agreement and international debt restructuring efforts. Sri Lanka's economic situation remains precarious — how the country progresses from this point and carries through the reforms while navigating international commitments will be a real challenge for the new government.