Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election triumph could prove to be a turning point for Sri Lanka’s politics and South Asia

Sri Lanka has done it again. After electing Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President his left-leaning party has secured a majority in the parliament, which gives Anura a complete control over Sri Lanka. What is more startling is that his party has decimated the Tamil parties in the northern Sri Lanka, which was the stronghold of Tamil parties. This is indeed a stunning political shift. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of Sri Lanka’s National People’s Power (NPP), has achieved a resounding victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, winning 123 out of 225 seats in Sri Lanka’s Parliament. This outcome, which comes barely two months after Dissanayake’s election as President on September 21, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape and could have significant ramifications not only for Sri Lanka but also for the wider South Asian region. Dissanayake’s rise to prominence is both unexpected and historic. His party, despite winning only 42 per cent of the presidential vote, has managed to galvanise a broad cross-section of Sri Lankan society, particularly in regions where other political forces have traditionally held sway. His victory represents a rejection of the traditional political elites that have long governed the island since its independence in 1948, and it signifies the growing appeal of his platform advocating for economic revival and social justice. Notably, the NPP’s win in the Jaffna district—a historically Tamil-majority area in the northern part of Sri Lanka—has surprised political pundits.  For decades, Tamil ethnic parties have dominated this region, a legacy of the civil war (1983-2009) that left a deep divide between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese-majority government. This victory in Jaffna is symbolic of a new approach to ethnic relations in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, the Tamil population has been wary of Sinhalese-majority leaders, given the traumatic history of the civil conflict, where over 100,000 lives were lost according to conservative UN estimates. Dissanayake’s success in these areas suggests that many Tamils are willing to embrace a new kind of leadership, one that offers economic promise and a path forward, beyond ethnic divisions. Dissanayake’s victory carries significant implications for the future of Sri Lanka. First and foremost, his strong mandate gives him the political capital needed to implement his economic revival agenda, which is urgently needed as Sri Lanka grapples with economic instability and growing debt. Dissanayake has long advocated for Marxist economic policies, including land reforms, wealth redistribution and greater state control over key industries. If successful, his administration could lead to a reshaping of Sri Lanka’s economy, potentially benefiting marginalised communities, including Tamils and other ethnic minorities. Dissanayake’s popularity, especially among younger voters and ethnic minorities, suggests a growing demand for alternative political solutions. But can he live up to people’s expectations, bring about radical changes and maintain ethnic harmony? That is the big question only time can tell!