Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture as the country prepares to hold its first election since the mass protests of 2022, which dramatically reshaped the nation’s political landscape. Known locally as the aragalaya—Sinhalese for “struggle”—the demonstrations saw thousands of citizens rise up against what they deemed decades of political mismanagement and corruption, leading to the country’s worst economic crisis in modern history. Now, with the elections just days away, voters are set to choose a new president, and the mood is one of both hope and cautious anticipation.
The roots of this pivotal election can be traced back to a period of profound economic hardship. In 2022, inflation skyrocketed to 70%, plunging the country into chaos. Basics like food, cooking gas, and medicine became scarce, sparking the nationwide protests that would eventually lead to the ousting of the deeply unpopular president at the time, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Citizens held Rajapaksa and his government responsible for the economic collapse, prompting him to flee the country just before protesters stormed his residence in Colombo. The images of jubilant demonstrators diving into the presidential pool became a potent symbol of the people’s newfound power.
Samadhi Paramitha Brahmananayake, a 33-year-old banker, was among the thousands who camped out in Sri Lanka’s capital during the height of the protests. Reflecting on those turbulent days, she describes the current atmosphere as one of renewed energy. “For the first time, people took charge,” she says. “I feel we’re now more energetic, more powerful.” She is one of many who believe that the younger generation’s activism was instrumental in forcing change and setting the stage for the upcoming election.
But even as the green grass now replaces the sea of tents where protesters once gathered, the challenges facing the country remain immense. The current president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was appointed to his position after Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned. Wickremesinghe, an experienced politician who has run for president twice before without success, is now seeking re-election. However, his political future remains uncertain. Tasked with guiding the country through difficult economic reforms, Wickremesinghe’s tenure has been marked by austerity measures and public dissatisfaction.
For many, Wickremesinghe’s association with the Rajapaksa family is a significant liability. The Rajapaksas, a powerful political dynasty, have dominated Sri Lanka’s politics for decades and are widely blamed for the financial mismanagement that triggered the economic crisis. A ruling by Sri Lanka’s top court named Gotabaya and his brother Mahinda, another former president, among the leaders responsible for the financial collapse. Yet despite this, the Rajapaksas remain a force in Sri Lankan politics.
In fact, Namal Rajapaksa, Gotabaya’s nephew and a prominent political figure, is running in this election. The Rajapaksa name still carries weight in certain parts of the country, particularly in districts like Minuwangoda, just outside Colombo. Here, crowds greeted Namal with cheers, fireworks, and music as he took the stage alongside his father, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Despite the family’s tarnished reputation, Namal defended their record, telling the BBC, “We know our hands are clean, we know we have not done anything wrong to the people or this country.” He emphasized that the final decision rests with the voters.
The stakes in this election are undeniably high. For citizens like Mithun Jayawardana, a 28-year-old who joined the 2022 protests out of frustration with the economic situation, the outcome of the vote will determine the country’s future direction. “We need a president who is elected by the people,” he asserts, underscoring the importance of a leader with a clear mandate from the public.
As Sri Lanka prepares for the polls, the hope is that this election will bring much-needed stability and a path forward after years of turmoil. However, with the Rajapaksas once again in the political fray and Wickremesinghe’s uncertain prospects, the country’s political future remains anything but clear. What is certain, however, is that the citizens of Sri Lanka are more engaged and determined than ever to ensure their voices are heard.
