April 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has been identified as one of a small group of nations making headway in political rights and civil liberties, according to the latest Freedom in the World 2026 assessment by Freedom House.
This comes against the backdrop of a continued global downturn in democratic freedoms, now extending into its twentieth consecutive year.
The report highlights a measurable improvement in Sri Lanka’s standing, with the country recording a five-point increase. Analysts attribute this progress to developments following the 2024 presidential election, alongside renewed government efforts to address corruption and foster greater religious harmony.
While the overall global picture remains concerning—with more than 50 countries experiencing declines in freedom—only a limited number showed improvement. Sri Lanka was singled out among those demonstrating notable advancement, alongside countries such as Syria, Bolivia and Gabon.
Despite these gains, Sri Lanka continues to be classified as “Partly Free”, reflecting the fact that, although progress has been made, challenges remain in strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding civil liberties.
The report paints a broader picture of mounting global pressures on democracy, citing armed conflicts, political instability, institutional erosion and the rise of authoritarian governance as key contributing factors. Several nations—including Tanzania and Burkina Faso—were noted for significant declines during the year.
Encouragingly, a handful of countries managed to improve their status classifications, with Fiji and Malawi among those moving into the “Free” category.
Observers note that Sri Lanka’s upward trajectory signals a gradual recovery from the political and economic turbulence of recent years. However, the report cautions that sustaining this momentum will require continued commitment to democratic reforms, particularly at a time when global trends point in the opposite direction.