Welcome to the political landscape of Sri Lanka, where a new alliance centered on the working class is making waves in the upcoming presidential race. Led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the National People’s Power alliance is positioning itself as the harbinger of change that the country desperately needs.
The alliance emerged from the ashes of an unprecedented economic crisis that rocked the nation, leading to widespread disillusionment with traditional political parties. Dissanayake, the presidential candidate for the alliance, has vowed to be the voice of those who participated in public protests that ousted the former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022. The protests were a response to the economic collapse that resulted in severe shortages of essential goods like fuel, cooking gas, medicines, and food.
“The people of our country have a great expectation for change,” Dissanayake told The Associated Press. “They wanted a change, and we are the agents of that change. All the other candidates represent the old, failed, traditional system.”
The economic collapse in 2022 was attributed to unsustainable debt, poorly timed tax cuts, ill-planned import bans, the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government’s questionable decision to deplete foreign reserves to support the national currency, the rupee.
In the aftermath of the protests that led to Rajapaksa’s ouster, the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe took charge, making significant strides in stabilizing the economy. Inflation dropped, interest rates decreased, and foreign reserves improved under his administration. However, the general population continues to bear the burden of high taxes and living costs, without the anticipated systemic overhaul.
Dissanayake and the NPP promise to be the beacon of hope for a corruption-free society with a sound economy. The alliance comprises various groups, including political parties, youth organizations, women’s groups, and trade unions. Despite their history of advocating for the nationalization of resources, they now embrace economic freedom and foreign trade while working towards renegotiating agreements with international bodies like the IMF to ease public burdens.
While addressing the past atrocities of the civil war and ensuring accountability for human rights violations remain important, Dissanayake approaches these sensitive issues with a focus on truth-seeking rather than retribution. He aims to strike a delicate balance in Sri Lanka’s geopolitical landscape, navigating the interests of major stakeholders like China and India.
The upcoming presidential election on September 21 promises to be a turning point for Sri Lanka, with Dissanayake emerging as a frontrunner alongside Wickremesinghe. Despite the challenges ahead, the promise of change embodied by Dissanayake and the NPP resonates strongly with those seeking a break from the status quo.
As the political analyst Jehan Perera aptly puts it, “AKD is a viable candidate to win the presidency,” offering a fresh alternative to the entrenched elites that have long dominated Sri Lankan politics.
Image Source: Link
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
