By Asoka S. Seneviratne –

Prof. Asoka.S. Seneviratne

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but building the new.” ~ Socrates

The recently held Local Elections have sparked a massive political debate based on 2.3 million votes, which the AKD/NPP government deprived. However, I must emphasize that the Local Elections result is not a popularity test, as I stated in April 2025. Before the Local Elections, I wrote two articles for Colombo Telegraph: “The Popularity Test: AKD/NPP Government & Local Elections” on April 7, 2025. In this article, I concluded that “If the opposition is wise and duty-bound, it must understand the facts and figures with which the AKD/NPP government is committed to working for the people and the country’s better future. The actual popularity test for the government is related to the above, not on the path towards achieving it. Regardless of the local elections, the AKD/NPP government will face a popularity test in the future, along with the current path.” The second article was “Local Elections: What the AKD/NPP Government Has Done in Six Months” on April 28, 2025. In this article, I concluded that while “Rata-Anurata” has been the reality due to the last two elections, “Gama-Anurata” will also be the reality in the Local Elections. This means providing essential services, promoting community well-being, and acting as a democratic voice for their constituents. It also ensures a healthy environment, safe spaces, and a thriving economy.” The above two conclusions were articulated well before the Local Elections and are consistent with the 2.3 million decline in support. Still, it is not a setback for the government at all due to unarguable reasons. At the same time, the seven million who did not vote do not imply that they were not pleased or comfortable with the government.

Local Elections in the context

Out of 17 million eligible voters, only about 10 million voted. Voters’ behavior and responses in local elections cannot be compared with those in presidential and general elections. In local polls, it is not political parties that play the leading role, but individuals who contest, influenced by their social status, relationships, and concerns for local infrastructure, health, the environment, and education, among other factors. Another significant aspect is that AKD/NPP, as a government entity, is distinct from the opposition, which consists of various political parties and independent candidates. Given the above, it is natural that voters’ preferences are divided among many. On the other hand, this division reflects broad-based democracy and active participation at the local level.

Irrespective of all the above, AKD/NPP has maintained its supremacy, securing 4.5 million (43.26%) of the votes and winning 3,927 out of 8,793 seats island-wide. Given the above, AKD/NPP has won 265 councils, including 23 Municipal Councils (MCs), 26 Urban Councils (UCs), and 217 Pradeshiya Sabhas (PSs). As I have already stated, even the Local Elections are not a popularity test for the AKD/NPP government; the opposition, even if it is combined, can’t come near its supremacy in an absolute sense. In other words, despite the height of Mount Everest, attacks, and humiliation, the AKD/NPP government remains unshaken. This will no doubt be proved when they establish their administration with 265 councils, including the Colombo Municipal Council, which will be carved in stone as a turning point in the history of the Colombo Municipal Council. Given all the above, the opposition, as combined or scattered units, must understand that Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD)  is the Executive President in the country, the AKD/NPP government has a 2/3 majority in parliament and supremacy in the Local Government level as well. The mandate of the AKD/NPP government is clear, so that without any corruption, fraud, mismanagement, and waste, “Gama-Anurata” is reality on the ground, providing essential services, promoting community well-being, and acting as a democratic voice for their constituents. It also ensures a healthy environment, safe spaces, and a thriving economy. This is the absence of a policy for local development by the main opposition SJB or the combined opposition. It is worth noting that, during the local election campaign of SJB, its leader, Sajith Premadasa, stated that it is not a matter of government funding that SJB can and will uplift the local communities. Given the above, and if it is true, SJB can still do that for the people so that the AKD/NPP government is not a barrier to that effect. Indeed, it is the true and deep sense of democracy that plays. Furthermore, it must be mentioned that the last three elections were violence-free, so the opposition needs to appreciate and value it.

Causes and Reasons for the 2.3 million decline

Given the decline in support for the AKD/NPP government, the opposition has united with one voice, claiming that the people have rejected the government and declaring it the end of its tenure. Neither statement is true. This is a feeble cry from the opposition, akin to the “liar” assertion made before the Local Elections. As I have stated many times before, the AKD/NPP government has done its utmost to assist the people (i.e., deal with or reduce the cost of living as one of the election promises) in line with the IMF bailout program. Maintaining economic stability, which is essential for growth, and repaying approximately US$ 56 billion in foreign debt starting from 2028 pose significant challenges for the government. Between these two challenges, the high cost of living remains a major issue for all, while poverty levels are rising. I must emphasize that increasing wages and salaries is not the solution, even though it helps to compensate for lost real income in the short to medium term. A type of short to medium-term solution is needed to mitigate the recurring crises, such as those affecting rice, coconut, salt, and many other consumer items that will arise. Proper demand and supply analysis, planning, insight, and wisdom will aid in addressing these issues. Regarding the short-term to medium-term crisis, the role of unscrupulous traders or hoarders must be addressed strictly according to the law. Currently, hoarding continues, so it must be stopped completely.

Regarding lowering the cost of living, a long-term solution is indispensable. The long-term solution is to enhance overall production (This long-term perspective is the durable solution to absorb external shocks such as Trump’s tariff increase), aiming for a minimum of 7 percent economic growth within the framework of Inclusive Economic Growth. In economic literature, inclusive economic growth is defined as “economic growth that benefits everyone, not just a select few. It focuses on creating a society where wealth is created, economic freedom is preserved, and equal opportunities are available for all who are willing and committed to work and earn income, regardless of their background. Inclusive economic growth also aims to balance the needs of current and future generations, ensuring that growth is sustainable and equitable.” I vividly explained the above in my numerous articles to CT regarding the Mission and Vision of NPP. “A Thriving Nation A Beautiful Life” is a policy document. So that it needs to be converted into  (i) a Five-year Economic Development plan with clear and achievable economic targets and indicators for each sector, plus (ii) a Resource plan, (iii) an Implementation plan, (iv) an Evaluation and monitoring plan, and finally a Reporting plan for successful completion, generating the expected outcome.

People and the country are concerned about the promised (i) New Constitution, (ii) Repeal or replacement of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), (iii) Amendment of the Online Safety Bill, (iv) Unresolved Easter Sunday Attacks, (v) Unresolved murders like Lasantha Wicrematunge, and (vi) Establishment of the Public Prosecution office, all of which may have contributed to some extent to the decline in voter support. However, the AKD/NPP government’s utmost commitment to these issues remains a top priority, and six months is a short period to achieve prompt results; indeed,  gradual progress is underway for all mentioned above. At the same time, (i) the Proceeds of Crime Act, (ii) Active and serious work of the Commissions to Investigate Allegations of Bribery & Corruption, (iii) Massive cutbacks in expenditures related to Ministers and MPs while reducing other benefits, (iv) Decentralization of the President’s Fund, and (v) Utmost transparency, accountability, and restoring law and order, must have enhanced people’s trust in the government, along with  the local elections held. Generally, the high cost of living is still the main factor that has caused the decline in support for the AKD/NPP government. However, considering the situation and circumstances, it cannot be viewed as a crime at all. In short, the IMF bailout is intended to stabilize or tame the economy, significantly impacting the people, which is unavoidable. Regardless of who rules the country, the effects mentioned above are inevitable. The only solution is an overall increase in production in the long term, as explained above. However, the majority of people cannot understand this until it becomes a reality in the ground. Given this, only the government can make it truly happen. As the first step towards the goal above, the World Bank has announced a $1 billion support package for Sri Lanka to be disbursed over three years, aimed at fostering job creation and stimulating private sector growth as the country continues its recovery from the 2022 economic crisis. This initiative targets key sectors with high potential for employment and investment, including energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development. This will be an integral part of the inclusive economic growth mentioned above. Generally, with the support of the development partners, the economy is heading in the right direction towards “A Thriving Nation A Beautiful Life”.   

Ground Reality Faced by the Opposition

Following the Local Elections, (i) the formation of alliances, (ii) proposal for a combined opposition, (iii) discussion of power sharing, if they manage to establish local government administration, and (iv) how to gain and secure the support of independent members are popular topics now. Generally, the opposition, both individually and in combination, seems to be busy 24 hours a day, having meetings and discussions everywhere. The opposition seeks to maximize gain power in local government administration in order to regain its lost paradise, the reality on the ground.  However, it is unfortunate that they do not understand or indicate the purpose of establishing or gaining power. Generally, the opposition consists of remnants of the political tsunami during the presidential and general elections. Not only were opposition political parties rejected by the people, but so were their policies. The people and the country know their history well and how they have ruined the country in many ways, maximizing their benefits. As their hands are not clean at all, they cannot offer even one percent of what the AKD/NPP government has provided. Both as individuals and parties, they want to come to power to regain their lost paradise, which is the truth. At least if they managed to have one percent of the “cry” for economic growth and development since independence, there is no doubt that the AKD/NPP government would not be in power now. The opposition has utterly failed for 75 years, making it impossible to think of what they can do after gaining administration in some local governments. However, the mandate given to the government by the presidential and general elections has not been dented to any degree by the local elections. Accordingly, the AKD/NPP government is ready to establish continuous monitoring and rigorous investigations at the local government level to intensify its anti-corruption efforts by introducing new legislative frameworks and strengthening existing mechanisms. The objective of this broader initiative is to enhance transparency and accountability across all levels of governance. In other words, the opposition will become part and parcel of the government’s commitment and dedication to local government development. Given the above, if any dreaming of opposition having at least a bit of the lost parasite is in vain. The entire governance mechanism is committed and geared towards the people and the country, the only way of thinking of the AKD/NPP government.

Conclusion

Before the Local Elections, I wrote two articles for CT about how the local elections are not a popularity test for the AKD/NPP Government, as voters and responses in local elections differ significantly from those in presidential or general elections. Given the above, 2.3 million deprived of support to the government is not a setback or crime at all for the government. The opposition is only crazy to regain its lost paradise. Even though the government has done its utmost for the people, the high cost of living is an issue that can only be addressed and resolved through an overall increase in production in the long run term, along with the concept of Inclusive Economic Growth, by implementing the government’s policy documents as a five-year development plan with targets and indicators. AKD/NPP government will continue with its development efforts by securing the local government administration based on 265 councils, and in the context of intensifying its anti-corruption efforts at the local government levels as well. This means there will not be room for the opposition to regain even a bit of its lost paradise.

*The writer, among many, served as the Special Advisor to the Office of the President of Namibia from 2006 to 2012 and was a Senior Consultant with the UNDP for 20 years. He was a Senior Economist with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (1972-1993)  asoka.seneviratne@gmail.com