Assessing the NPP's First Year in Power

Between Populist Rhetoric & Neo-liberal Reality

- By KKS PERERA

Every society has elites who wield the most power, wealth and influence, but their dominance isn’t permanent.

Sri Lanka has witnessed this exact pattern over decades - a continuous cycle where elites rise and fall, with weakening groups replaced by emerging ones. Sri Lanka’s political leaders have followed this historical pattern throughout. Power constantly shifis between different factions -- some lose control while others seize it. The successful ones are typically clever and cunning, using persuasive rhetoric, intelligence and innovative ideas to capture and hold power.

Society remains stable and prosperous when elite groups rotate power in a healthy way. But when they become isolated, incompetent, corrupt and change-resistant, revolutions follow, with new movements overthrowing the established order.

In August 2024, the NPP published a complete policy document outlining its plans for running the country. This foundation helped them win the September 2024 election, bringing Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the presidency. Their success continued in November 2024 when the NPP won 70% of parliamentary seats. Yet the local government voting results suggest growing public uncertainty about whether the administration will fulfill its policy promises or slide back into the same inactive and unaccountable behaviour that marked earlier governments. As the NPP President completes his first year in office, we examine progress made on major policy commitments. The assessment focuses on crucial areas that fueled the NPP’s political rise.