May 5, 2025 1:01 am
Full News

Sri Lanka’s Leftist Victory Sparks Hopes for Change and Unity

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his National People’s Power (NPP) party have won a decisive two-thirds majority in parliament, raising expectations for transformative governance in a nation long fractured by ethnic and political divides.

The NPP secured 159 of 225 parliamentary seats, surpassing all other parties in a landslide victory. This marks the first time since the introduction of proportional representation in 1977 that a single party has achieved such dominance. The result eliminates the need for coalition-building, enabling Dissanayake to pass legislation and push reforms independently.

A Vote for Change

Dissanayake’s victory has been hailed as a break from the past. His party, rooted in the Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, rose to prominence during the 2022 protests against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government. The NPP’s campaign focused on fighting corruption, addressing economic instability, and uniting a nation often divided by ethnicity and religion.

“This is a mandate for change,” said Samanmalee Gunasinghe, an NPP candidate who won in Colombo. “The people have shown they are ready to move beyond old politics.”

For many voters, the decision was driven by frustration with years of stagnation and mismanagement. “We’ve been voting for the same people for years, and nothing has improved,” said Vasantha Raj, a daily wage earner in Colombo. “This time, we’ll see what the NPP can do.”

Challenges Ahead

The expectations for Dissanayake are immense. The NPP has pledged to tackle widespread corruption, stabilize the economy, and rewrite Sri Lanka’s constitution through a referendum. The country’s economic crisis, exacerbated by the Rajapaksa family’s policies and later austerity measures under interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe, remains a pressing issue.

“My mother is very sick, and we can barely afford food or medicine,” said MF Sareena, who brought her elderly mother to vote in Colombo. “We hope this government will ease our burden.”

The NPP also carries the hopes of historically marginalized groups. In a significant shift, the Tamil community in the north, long aligned with ethnic Tamil parties, voted for the NPP. The party must now address their demands, including the return of lands seized during the civil war and efforts to heal decades-old grievances.

“This is not going to be easy,” said Ahilan Kadirgamar, a sociology lecturer at the University of Jaffna. “Delivering justice to the Tamil and Muslim minorities and reversing years of xenophobia will require a deep commitment.”

Bridging Divides

The election has also raised hopes of bridging longstanding ethnic and religious divides. Abdul Rahuman Seyyadu Sulaiman, a Muslim voter in Colombo, expressed optimism for justice under the new government. “When the former government cremated a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic against our religious beliefs, I protested. Justice was never served,” he said. “We hope Dissanayake will listen to us.”

A New Chapter

The NPP leadership has acknowledged the heavy burden of expectations. “We will ensure that we will not misuse this power like those who came before us,” said Nihal Abeysinghe, the party’s secretary, in a post-election statement.

Sri Lanka now stands at a crossroads, with an opportunity to rewrite its political narrative. Whether Dissanayake and the NPP can deliver on their promises will determine whether this victory marks the beginning of genuine change or just another chapter in the island’s turbulent history.

Related News
Security Concerns: India Shuts Down Over Half of Jammu and Kashmir’s Tourist Spots
The Witcher Returns on Netflix
Indian Army Chief Highlights Strategic Importance of Bangladesh, Calls for Mutual Understanding and Cooperation
Tortures of Journalists in Bangladesh During Yunus Regime: A Portrait of the “Death of Media” and the “Freedom of Speech”
Trump Vows to Target LGBTQ Policies, Immigration, and Panama Canal Control in Fiery Phoenix Speech
Arrest Warrant Issued Against Bangladeshi Actress Porimoni for Protesting Against Islamic Fundamentalism!
Related Posts
Chinese President Xi Jinping to Visit Russia for Nazi Defeat Commemoration
India Halts River Water Flow to Pakistan
International Observatory Condemns Judicial Harassment and Political Discrimination Against Lawyers in Bangladesh
World’s Oldest Doctor Dies at the Age of 129
Bangladesh Sees Unprecedented Media Crackdown Under Dr. Yunus-Led Interim Government: 640 Journalists Targeted in Eight Months, Says RRG Report
Two Bangladeshi-American Citizens Remain Unidentified; National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman Confirmed Safe
More News

Gaza Under Siege: Israeli Strikes Leave Thousands Dead Amid Growing Humanitarian Crisis

Israel Targets Flour Distribution Line, Scores Killed Across Gaza. The death toll in Gaza continues to soar, with health authorities reporting over 44,750 Palestinian casualties amidst ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Israeli attacks in Gaza have claimed dozens of lives, including women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. On Monday, the ministry reported that 50 […]

Colombia Accepts Trump’s Conditions on Migrants Amid Sanctions

Upon assuming office, U.S. President Donald Trump began deporting illegal immigrants residing in the United States, sending them back to their respective countries via flights. In one instance, Colombia refused to allow two U.S. aircraft carrying deportees to land. In response, Trump threatened strict measures against Colombia, sparking widespread controversy. However, Colombia later agreed to […]

How Successful Will Gladiator 2 Be?

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius”—that one line alone encapsulates the appeal of the 2000 film Gladiator. In a dramatic scene set in the bustling Colosseum, the gladiator Maximus introduces himself to the Roman Emperor Commodus, delivering this now-iconic line. The character of Maximus, portrayed by Russell Crowe, became the heart of Gladiator, and this […]

3 Israelis, 183 Palestinians Freed in Fourth Round

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, there was a sparkle of happiness in the eyes of the crowd gathered on Saturday. A total of 183 Palestinians have been freed from Gaza after a fourth prisoner exchange under a ceasefire agreement with Israel. Earlier, the Palestinian militant group Hamas released three hostages. According to Hamas […]

Three Israeli Hostages, Including American, to Be Released from Gaza

On Friday, Hamas declared that it would release three Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza on the following Saturday, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to mitigate one of the most sensitive aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Among those set to be released are Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon. This […]

Nihon Hidankyo, Japanese Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Group, Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Awarded for its dedication to nuclear disarmament, the group represents survivors’ enduring testimony against nuclear weapons. Oslo, Norway – Nihon Hidankyo, Japan’s atomic bomb survivors’ group, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for its tireless advocacy for a nuclear-free world. Recognized for “demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be […]

Bangladesh’s Descent into Anarchy under Yunus The World’s Silence Is Painful To the Conscience of Humanity

Harun Al Rashid Bangladesh writhes under the savagery unleashed by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Millions face an impossible choice: death, exile, or submission to radical extremism. On August 5, 2024, the nation experienced one of its darkest hours—a meticulously coordinated terrorist onslaught that shattered its foundations by overthrowing the legitimate government of Prime Minister […]

Israel’s Ongoing Assault on Gaza Claims Dozens of Palestinian Children, Talks for Ceasefire Underway

The Gaza Civil Defence Agency reports that Israeli forces killed at least 70 Palestinian children in the past five days. This comes after an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza’s Jabalia, which resulted in at least eight deaths, including children. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is sending senior negotiators, including […]

European Partners Urged to Develop Sanctions to Smash People-Smuggling Gangs

The UK is calling on European partners to replicate its world-first sanctions regime targeting organised immigration crime gangs, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy urges international action on the defining security threat of our time—irregular migration. At the Munich Security Conference, Lammy will press for sanctions aimed at people smuggling networks. The conference kicked off today […]

US and UK Eye “Great Agreement” on Trade Amid Tariff Talks

The United States and Britain are reportedly moving closer to striking a significant trade agreement, fueled by President Donald Trump’s admiration for the UK and its royal family, according to Vice President J.D. Vance. Speaking to UnHerd on April 15, Vance expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations, which aim to strengthen economic ties between the […]