By Asoka S. Seneviratne –

“When a nation is ruled not by men but by law, even the powerful must tremble before justice.” — Adapted from Montesquieu

The joint opposition in Sri Lanka recently declared that it will center its campaign on issues like governance, corruption, and democratic decline — the very principles it spent decades undermining. It is a shocking display of political hypocrisy. Those who corrupted public institutions, backed criminals, and weakened democracy now claim moral superiority. But the people of Sri Lanka are no longer deceived by empty slogans and recycled promises.

Before AKD: When Governance Was a Marketplace of Corruption

For decades, the parties now united as the “joint opposition” (i.e., Remnants of the political Tsunami/general election in Sri Lanka in 2024) presided over one of the most corrupt political eras in Sri Lanka’s history. Under their rule, governance was not about service — it was about survival and enrichment at the cost of the poor.

From 2005 to 2022, Sri Lanka’s ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) fell from 84th to 101st place, reflecting a deep deterioration in governance standards. State-owned enterprises accumulated over Rs. 1.5 trillion in debt, much of it due to political mismanagement and loss-making contracts awarded to cronies.

When corruption scandals erupted, inquiries turned into political theatre. Files disappeared, evidence was suppressed, and honest officials were transferred. Government ministries became fiefdoms of power; appointments were sold; tenders were manipulated.

Governance became a private enterprise, and democracy, a façade. Yet these are the same political forces that now claim to “defend good governance.” History, however, clearly remembers: they had every chance to build a fair system, but instead destroyed it.

Democracy Manipulated, Not Defended

During their years in power, today’s opposition leaders manipulated democratic institutions to maintain control. Elections were postponed, commissions were politicized, and constitutional amendments were tailored to personal ambitions.

The 19th and 20th Amendments, rather than strengthening checks and balances, became tools of manipulation. Independent commissions, once symbols of public trust, were dismantled or rendered powerless.

Their version of democracy was one where justice depended on loyalty, and dissent was punished. Media houses that exposed corruption were threatened or silenced. The democratic decline they now lament began long before AKD — and under their watch.

The AKD Difference: A Government Governed by Law, Not Men

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration represents a decisive break from this corrupt past. For the first time in decades, Sri Lanka is governed not by rulers, but by law. This government is not built around personalities — it is built on institutions.

President Dissanayake has made it clear that no individual — however powerful — is above the law. Investigations into corruption and misuse of power are being pursued with independence. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been revitalized; long-shelved cases are being reopened.

The Public Service Commission and the National Police Commission have been strengthened, ensuring appointments are based on merit, not political favor. This restoration of institutional integrity is precisely what the opposition cannot tolerate — because it dismantles the system that once protected them.

Fear of Accountability: The True Motive Behind the Opposition’s Outcry

The joint opposition’s campaign is not about reform; it is about self-preservation. As investigations into bribery, fraud, and abuse of office progress, many of its members and allies now face scrutiny. They claim political persecution, but the reality is that they are being held accountable under the same laws they ignored. For the first time, the process is transparent and non-political. The rule of law is finally impartial — and that terrifies them. Before they are prosecuted, found guilty, and kept behind bars, they want to topple the government AKD.

When justice becomes fair, those who relied on privilege feel endangered. That is the true motive behind their outcry over “governance failures.”

What Has the Opposition Done in the Past Year?

Opposition leaders repeatedly ask, “What has the AKD government achieved in one year?” But the more relevant question is — what has the opposition done?

A responsible opposition in a democracy should propose policies, support anti-corruption reforms, and ensure constructive checks on power. Yet over the past year, the joint opposition has done none of these. They bark occasionally to show their presence.

Instead, it has criticized every reform — from fiscal transparency to administrative discipline. When the government cut wasteful expenditure, they called it “dictatorial.” When it cracked down on tax evasion, they cried “anti-business.”

When the President acted to remove political appointees and clean up state enterprises, they accused him of vendetta. But the public knows better — the opposition’s noise is not about defending democracy; it’s about protecting its privileges.

A President Who Confronts the Underworld and the Drug Menace

Among President Dissanayake’s top national priorities is the eradication of the underworld and the drug menace — two cancers that have corroded the nation’s moral and social foundations.

For decades, the drug trade flourished under political protection. According to the Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau (2024 Annual Report), over 85% of major narcotics operations during the past decade had links to politically connected networks. Successive governments turned a blind eye, allowing crime and politics to intertwine.

President Dissanayake’s administration has taken this battle head-on. In just one year, over 12,000 arrests have been made related to organized crime and narcotics trafficking. Large-scale raids in Colombo, Gampaha, and Southern provinces dismantled smuggling operations once thought untouchable.

But for the President, this is not merely a law-and-order issue. It is a moral crusade to cleanse the nation’s future — to ensure that children grow up in a society free from fear, violence, and addiction.

A Nation’s Children Deserve Peace and Safety

Every kilogram of narcotics seized is not just a victory for the police — it is a victory for every Sri Lankan family. Every underworld figure brought to justice is a message that law and decency prevail.

The President’s vision is simple yet profound: to build a country where children can walk safely to school, where families live without fear, and where opportunity replaces crime.

No doubt, he will succeed — because this is not a political promise, but a national duty. Sri Lanka’s next generation deserves to inherit a country of peace, not peril; of justice, not corruption.

Rebuilding What Was Destroyed

The AKD government inherited a broken economy and a disillusioned nation. Public debt exceeded 128% of GDP by 2022; state revenue was at its lowest since independence. Confidence in governance was near zero.

In one year, the government has made visible progress:

* Wasteful expenditure reduced by 17%,

* Tax compliance up 22%,

* Revenue transparency improved through digital monitoring of procurement,

* And over 40 stalled corruption investigations have been reopened.

These are not populist moves — they are foundational reforms. Real governance change happens quietly, not theatrically. The AKD administration’s steady rebuilding of institutions marks the start of a long, disciplined recovery.

The Opposition’s Moral Void

The joint opposition, in contrast, remains morally bankrupt. Having betrayed governance, encouraged corruption, and manipulated democracy, it cannot now pretend to defend them

Their politics is driven not by principle but by fear — fear of accountability, fear of justice, and fear of irrelevance in a new era where power no longer guarantees protection.

Every accusation they make against the AKD government exposes their own hypocrisy. Those who normalized corruption cannot now preach integrity. Those who silenced democracy cannot now cry for its defense.

A Defining Moment in National Renewal

Sri Lanka stands today at a defining juncture — between the failed politics of the past and the moral renewal of the present. Under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership, governance is shifting from privilege to principle, from impunity to justice, and from disorder to discipline.

The road ahead will not be easy. Resistance from the old order is expected. But the people understand that genuine transformation demands courage, not compromise.

As the President continues his relentless fight against corruption, organized crime, and drugs, he is reshaping the moral compass of the nation. His message is clear: Sri Lanka will no longer be ruled by men — it will be governed by law.

Summary: The Moral Divide between the Past and the Present

The joint opposition’s campaign on governance, corruption, and democracy is a hollow echo of its own failures. It seeks to erase public memory and rewrite history. But the truth remains undeniable: they, not the AKD government, destroyed these values.

In contrast, President Dissanayake’s administration represents a rebirth of integrity — a political culture in which law stands above politics and power serves the people, not personal gain.

His unwavering commitment to end corruption, dismantle the underworld, and eliminate the drug menace is not just a government initiative — it is a moral vision for a safer, just, and peaceful Sri Lanka.

The opposition governed to protect itself. The AKD government governs to preserve the nation.
And that is why — despite the noise, resistance, and inherited chaos — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will not fail.
Because he stands on the strongest foundation of all: the rule of law, the trust of the people, and the promise of a better future for generations to come.

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