Sri Lanka is set to hold a significant parliamentary election on November 14, where 17 million voters will decide their representatives in Parliament, just two months after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s historic victory. This election is crucial for the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) alliance, which, with only three seats in the last Parliament, now needs at least 113 seats to secure a simple majority in the 225-member legislature. Out of these seats, 196 are filled by direct election, while 29 are distributed to parties based on their share of the popular vote through a national proportional representation system.
The political landscape in Sri Lanka has undergone a seismic shift. Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s rise, propelled by his anti-corruption platform, marks the emergence of a formidable third force led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) within the NPP coalition. This surge has effectively sidelined traditional parties, such as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP), which once dominated national politics. Even senior political figures, including members of the influential Rajapaksa family, have opted out, wary of potential voter backlash.
Observers anticipate a “Dissanayake wave” that could see the NPP secure a majority, following the precedent that newly-elected presidents in Sri Lanka often bolster their legislative support in subsequent general elections. Dissanayake, popularly known as “AKD,” has significantly increased his appeal, rising from a modest 3.16% vote share in 2019 to a commanding 42.3% in the recent presidential race.
In the case of a parliamentary majority, NPP leaders have called for opposition unity to create a constructive counterbalance. Political analysts, like R. Ram, emphasize the need for restraint, suggesting that a two-thirds majority could empower the government to abuse Sri Lanka’s repressive laws. Public sentiment echoes this caution, with activists like K.P. Somalatha, leader of a southern farmers’ group, wary of such sweeping power.
Ethnic minority groups, including Tamils from the north and east, the hill country Malaiyaha Tamils, and Muslims, face their own challenges in this election. Their representatives are under pressure from voters who are calling for fresh leadership. This election, taking place in the aftermath of the 2022 Janatha Aragalaya, represents another step in Sri Lanka’s ongoing political transformation, which many hope will finally bring systemic change and long-awaited reforms across the nation.
