Patch Economy, Mend Bilaterals, Soothe Citizens

Lack of policy coherence prevents Sri Lanka from moving forward and making strategic partnerships that can help the country overcome its economic woes

- DILRUKSHI HANDUNNETTI

In early May, Sri Lankans voted for a third time in a series—this time to elect members to the local authorities. The ruling National People's Power (NPP) secured a majority of seats in 266 out of 341 local bodies in an election considered a popularity test for the incumbency. The NPP secured 43.26 percent of the vote, recording a dent in popularity, also reflective of the fragmented nature of votes at the local level.

Into its seventh month in office, the NPP appears tight-lipped on matters of policy and plans, preferring to avoid discussion and instead offering combative television performances by junior ranks on public concerns that beg answers. The May 6 vote can be best considered a quiet reprimand from the people, impatient with the slow delivery. While the government has a five-year term, it still needs to manage public expectations and prevent public outrage.

The brewing dissent is partly of the government's making. The NPP, while indulging in rhetorical condemnation of corruption as the only reason for economic collapse, did not adequately explain to the public the severity of Sri Lanka's economic situation. The NPP sometimes made it appear a management problem, which only the NPP could address. People still trust the government to have integrity but question its ability to fix the economy without passing further burden on to them.