{"id":244840,"date":"2025-12-14T01:06:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T19:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=244840"},"modified":"2025-12-28T14:50:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T09:20:40","slug":"credibility-as-the-new-currency-in-sri-lankan-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/credibility-as-the-new-currency-in-sri-lankan-politics\/","title":{"rendered":"Credibility As The New Currency In Sri Lankan Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Vipula Wanigasekera<\/a> –<\/strong><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Dr. Vipula Wanigasekera<\/p><\/div>\n

Before writing this, I came across a viral TikTok video allegedly exposing a member of the present government attempting to influence the police regarding an investigation into unauthorized tree felling. Shortly after, news emerged that former Speaker and MP Asoka Ranwala<\/a><\/span>, involved in a Sapugaskanda accident last night, was requested to undergo alcohol testing. What does this signal for the NPP Government? Simply put: a deterioration of credibility<\/b>.<\/p>\n

This highlights the central challenge facing the present administration: securing and sustaining the credibility that initially brought them to power. Despite operational challenges in the aftermath of recent floods and landslides, the President\u2019s visible presence and urgency resonated strongly with citizens. This response is not incidental; it reflects a deeper political shift. Since the Aragalaya \u2014 the 2022 \u201cpeople\u2019s struggle\u201d that toppled a once-dominant administration \u2014 credibility has emerged as the most valuable political currency in Sri Lanka. What was once desirable is now a mandatory qualification for leadership.<\/p>\n

The Aragalaya<\/a><\/em><\/span> was driven not only by economic hardship but also by deep frustration over impunity and governance failures. Citizens demanded accountability, not merely new faces. The public\u2019s tolerance for a political culture where scandals surfaced and disappeared without consequence has sharply declined. This transformation continues to shape expectations today.<\/p>\n

Against this backdrop, the present government holds a comparative advantage: it is widely seen as having fewer corruption allegations than previous administrations. Whether flawless or not, this perception shapes discourse, allowing the government to foreground integrity alongside policy \u2014 a claim many predecessors struggled to assert amid reputational baggage.<\/p>\n

Conversely, elements of the opposition still face public allegations tied to mismanagement, misuse of public funds, or controversial procurement practices. Even without assuming guilt, unresolved allegations erode credibility, because in the post-Aragalaya era, perception carries nearly as much weight as fact.<\/p>\n

Losses of credibility are not always linked to major scandals. Sometimes symbolic gestures suffice: photos of politicians beside luxury properties abroad, excessive travel, or ceremonial displays during national hardship reinforce suspicion that privilege endures while citizens struggle. History reinforces this trend: the 2015 election saw voters embrace anti-corruption narratives, yet stalled investigations and faded prosecutions deepened frustration and amplified demand for leaders whose integrity is demonstrable.<\/p>\n

Today, credibility is central, magnified by social media that broadcasts every misstep instantly. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook have made governance hyper-visible and immediate, turning even minor errors into national conversations. Coupled with reforms such as the Anti-Corruption Act of 2023, which strengthened oversight but also faced criticism from various quarters, political credibility has become measurable and unforgiving.<\/p>\n

The current disaster is not just a humanitarian challenge but a defining credibility test. The President\u2019s early interventions \u2014 visiting affected areas, coordinating relief, engaging MPs and international partners \u2014 have reinforced confidence. Yet citizens will judge the government on two fronts: whether short-term relief evolves into sustainable recovery and whether governance structures can respond effectively in future not only in crises but public services.<\/p>\n

For Sri Lanka\u2019s democratic future, this focus on credibility is both encouraging and demanding. Legitimacy now depends less on ideology or party loyalty and more on personal integrity, competence, and transparency, amplified instantly by social media. Future governments will rise or fall on their ability to earn and maintain public trust.<\/p>\n

References<\/b><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

1. https:\/\/vm.tiktok.com\/ZSHw5u7vgNGsY-Za55n\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

2. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=M-jj4iWZk44<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

3. https:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/breaking-news\/Police-request-for-Ashoka-Ranwalas-alcohol-test-following-accident\/108-327652<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

*The writer is a former Diplomat and Head of the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority, and currently a Lecturer, YouTuber, Meditation Coach, and Reiki Therapist<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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