The Unraveling of Sri Lanka’s Political Landscape
Transport a Sri Lankan citizen from the early 1990s to the past week of the island’s politics, and you may just break their brain. Back then, the JVP, a Marxist outfit now led by the country’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was reviled for attempting violent revolution. The dark history of violent uprisings, death squads, and detention camps in Sri Lanka has shaped the island’s politics for decades.
In a surprising turn of events, Dissanayake emerged victorious in the presidential election, defeating prominent opponents Sajith Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. Since his election, Dissanayake has adopted a conciliatory tone, advocating for unity and diversity in a country rocked by division. His appointments of the first female prime minister and a minority Muslim governor signal a departure from the past.
The path to Dissanayake’s presidency can be traced back to the tumultuous events of 2022, where protests against the failing government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa led to a new wave of political consciousness. As Sri Lanka experiences a changing political tide, Dissanayake stands as a beacon of hope for a nation on the brink of transformation.