As 2024 comes to a close, it has been a year of challenges, transitions and achievements for Sri Lanka. Amidst this turbulence life continues, and the country will now look ahead to 2025 with renewed hopes for a ‘Better Sri Lanka’. It is essential to reflect on the past year, as there are valuable lessons to be learned that will guide us into the new year and beyond. 

However, what a ‘better Sri Lanka’ means in 2025 depends largely on who you ask? The past few years have impacted Sri Lankans in different ways, with some facing greater hardships than others. Still, the general sentiment is clear – the country needs improvement, and desperately. The common wish that unites Sri Lankans is the desire for a better country in 2025.

In 2024, the people of Sri Lanka replaced the island’s legacy political leadership. Many new faces have emerged to replace them as law makers. Many amongst them are people without long-standing political legacies. While the Government has changed, the way it operates must also evolve in 2025. The new administration must not rely on ad-hoc decisions or policies based on personal or ideological opinions, but rather on evidence-based approaches supported by facts, figures, and scientific research to draft new policies. These are necessary steps to achieve the systemic change that the people have been demanding for years, if not decades.

However, despite the change in leadership, there is certain skepticism about the new Government’s ability to deliver. Therefore, the National People’s Power (NPP) Government must demonstrate that it is capable of fulfilling its promises. By adopting and implementing researched-based and well-debated policies, and ensuring that these policies are in fact implemented, it can prove that the people’s decision to vote them in with a landside mandate was not a mistake. Now that the NPP Government has been in office for over a month and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been in office for more than 100 days, it is time for action. The Government must move beyond random, one-off achievements and focus on national-level changes that will truly impact the lives of the people. Tangible progress is essential, especially for those in lower socio-economic strata. However, change that does not resonate with the people’s aspirations cannot be considered genuine progress. The people must feel the positive effects of change.

Another critical priority for the NPP Government is its anti-corruption agenda. This must be more than just ceremonial gestures – it must translate into practical and impactful plans and actions. To achieve the necessary transformation, the Government must focus on crafting sound policies supported by a practical and legal framework. Accountability and transparency are crucial in ensuring that these policies are effectively implemented. The NPP’s honesty is no longer enough; instead, actions that prove its honesty is what the people demand. It must be noted, that despite three months of AKD, no ‘big fish’ on corruption nor ‘organised crime’ has been properly charged or legal proceedings begun. 

The Government cannot continue to claim that it is still in its early days. The public has endured prolonged suffering, and it is unfair to expect them to wait any longer for meaningful change. The NPP was elected to bring about a new era for Sri Lanka, and it must fulfil that mandate. If the Government fails to deliver on its promises, it may face the same fate as previous administrations and leaders that promised systemic change but failed to follow through.

The hope for a better Sri Lanka in 2025 is real. But it will only become a reality if the Government takes swift, concrete action. As the nation looks toward the new year, it is time for the NPP and the President to prove that they are capable of creating a brighter future for Sri Lankans. The clock is ticking, and the people are waiting.