Sri Lanka has decided. Yesterday (22 September 2024), voters of the island nation spoke loudly calling for a change in the way Sri Lanka has been governed. Irrespective of who they voted for and what ideology they represented, collectively Sri Lanka has called for a change in the status quo. A majority of Sri Lankans have placed their faith in Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), the Presidential candidate of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) to lead the country for the next five years. According to the Elections Commission (EC) 42.31% of voters have picked Dissanayake to be the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka. Dissanayake achieved a lead of nearly one million votes ahead of his competitor Sajith Premadasa from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). AKD, speaking at the EC post official announcement, called holding the election itself a victory, citing multiple delays in holding other elections. He stressed that for Sri Lanka to move forward it requires a mandate, while acknowledging the challenges the island nation faces. AKD called for a change in the political culture, asking voters not to infringe on others rights and space, nor behave violently while they celebrate. “We must start our change with stability, we must change our political culture,” he said, calling for national unity. Sajith Premadasa speaking at the EC extended well wishes to Dissanayake, while pledging support for sound national policies which may be proposed. Premadasa said that taking Sri Lanka to a better direction is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including that of the government and opposition. 

Let us hope that Dissanayake, who is expected to take oaths today will be able to honour the faith placed in him by so many, and carry forward the aspirations of all Sri Lankans, while sustaining the economic recovery efforts. It is expected that the NPP will form a caretaker government following Dissanyake taking office and establishing a four-member Cabinet. The decision to dissolve the Parliament will likely be taken after consultations with constitutional experts and the Attorney General. Dissanayake inherits a troubled nation, still struggling to stand upright and vulnerable. On his shoulders today rests the responsibility of charting a course towards a more stable, resilient and just nation. How the NPP caretaker government deals with the ongoing agreement with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) EFF agreement, negotiates with Sri Lanka’s creditors, manages the complex geopolitical area the Indian Ocean, will impact the future of the island nation. As such, let us hope that Sri Lanka can forage a broad policy consensus at the upcoming General Election. It is imperative that Sri Lanka does not become more vulnerable than it is already. 

Every election has ideological and political winners and losers. Nevertheless, today, Sri Lanka begins a new chapter in its history. One of the key changes which occurred during this election is the departure from ethnic politics. The Election for the ninth Executive did not for the first time since the 1970’s have race politics as a key election issue. 

While there are many issues left to resolve regarding equality, fairness and justice for many in the ethnically minority communities, it is indeed heartening to see the divisive race politics gradually lose the hold it had on Sri Lankan politics. It is also heartening to see that the election process, up to now, has not been marred with violence or serious allegations of electoral malpractice. The Election Commission has performed a commendable role, ably aided by the broader state apparatus. With many of the long-standing parliamentarians now discredited in the public, the coming General Elections may see a ‘fresh crop’ of young faces becoming lawmakers. Let us hope and pray that the new lawmakers who enter the Legislature be better statesmen and stateswomen than many of those before them. Sri Lanka has had a dearth of good leaders, and we need to refresh the Parliament with young, energetic and broadminded leaders who have the best interest of the country at heart. 

Issuing a statement, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took the helm of a Sri Lanka in chaos, said: “I believe that the future generation of the country will give the proper assessment for my historical political role, the way it deserves. I am aware that my place in history as the ruler of this country will be decided not today, but in future. I followed the right path and saved people from hunger and sorrow. I hope that the new President will also follow the right path and put an end to the remaining issues that the people are facing. I was eventually able to carry the dear child called Sri Lanka along a long distance safely – on the dangerous rope bridge. Close to the very end of the rope bridge, people have decided to handover the dear child called Sri Lanka to President Anura Dissanayake. Mr. President, here I handover to you with much love, the dear child called Sri Lanka, whom we both love very dearly. I wish that you will be able to carry this child away from the bridge to the other bank, even safer than the way I carried the child. I will be devoted to serving my motherland with or without power, with or without a post or powers, for the rest of my life.”

With a new President at the helm, and the eyes of the world on us, Sri Lanka needs to get its act together. We must strive to be more inclusive and build broad bipartisan support for our national policies. It is the duty of every citizen, irrespective of their political ideology to help move Sri Lanka forward through collective effort.