With the landmark victory of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a year in the rear-view mirror, many Sri Lankans would be keeping tally on the much-hyped election promises which changed Sri Lanka’s political landscape in 2024. While there have been some dramatic changes, especially in relation to changing the culture of impunity which had taken root over decades, there are many election promises which were made by the National People’s Power (NPP) leader and his party, which the Government has failed to act on, thus far, despite their overwhelming mandate. The anti-corruption process is welcomed by all but is yet to land a ‘major price’ in the way of a ‘big fish’ politico with dirty money that has been successfully prosecuted. Neither has the NPP managed to ‘bring back’ the millions of dollars which they claimed was squirrelled away by greedy politicians to destinations overseas.

The NPP Government’s lackluster approach to diplomacy and engaging key issues in the region and multilateral forums have been highlighted by several observers, both local and international. From shortcomings linked to dealing with the BRICS forum, attendance gaps at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, and the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) meetings, the list of diplomatic blunders points to poor understanding of geopolitics and diplomatic necessities. The failures in decision-making related to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation-linked fisheries survey have cost Sri Lanka international credibility and a vital opportunity to map our ocean resources and seafood potential for the coming years. The NPP Government made waves when they declared the ‘moratorium’ enacted by the previous Government which banned surveys by foreign marine scientific research (MSR) vessels, was lifted. However, the NPP continued with their own ‘time-buying’ exercise by doing a typical Sri Lankan bureaucratic manoeuvre – appointing a committee to draft a national policy on foreign MSRs, and to develop a Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) based on it to regulate such visits in the future. China, eager to showcase its influence, ‘scientific prowess’, and irritate New Delhi, will likely test this situation soon with a request for an MSR survey or replenishment stop at a Sri Lankan port. With the Chinese satellite tracking vessel – Yuan Wang 5, whose controversial stop at Hambantota port in 2022 kicked off a diplomatic spat between Sri Lanka, India and others – back in the Indian Ocean after three years, the ideal circumstances to test Sri Lanka’s foreign policy resolve may be within Beijing’s hands this week. The Yuan Wang 5 entered the Indian Ocean last week according to naval experts.

Similarly, the NPP’s promise to introduce a new constitution and its steadfast promise to do away with the Executive Presidency, which many are of the view has been detrimental to the sound governance of the island, remain unaddressed thus far. The NPP also gave an undertaking to reform the much-criticised Online Safety Act (OSA) and remains engaged in the process of reviewing the legislation, one year after they came to power. There seems to be some headway made with the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), however, like previous governments, the NPP also seem to be taking a lot of time doing so. Another election promise – to introduce legislation for constituents to recall an elected member of Parliament seems to have been forgotten altogether. And despite much grandstanding and chest-beating, the NPP Government, with all its mandate, has not yet enacted fully the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCIs) regarding the Easter Sunday bombing of 2019. The recommendations about the political leadership which was negligent, and security personnel who failed to act, also remain not enforced, thus far. While there has been some progress on promises made regarding health and education, many await the relief they were promised by the NPP. The reality is that, for the average Joe, the economic pressures in managing the home front, and the situation at the dinner table have changed little, if at all.

Having followed the path paved by the previous Government, and largely abiding by the IMF agreement, the Government has seemingly stayed the course on economic recovery and fiscal discipline. They should be commended for doing so. However, stability gained does not equate to economic growth, and Sri Lanka remains in a difficult position trying to gain steam to push ahead. The public sentiment about the NPP, while largely positive, is eroding, and quickly. Add to that equation, embarrassing allegations on how some NPP top wigs have amassed considerable wealth, the arrogance and dismissive manner which those charges have been responded to, people’s patience with President Dissanayake and his NPP Government may soon run out.