By: Isuru Parakrama
February 09, Colombo (LNW): US President Donald Trump’s administration made a series of bold decisions, many of which sent shockwaves far beyond US borders. Whilst his policies primarily targeted domestic concerns, their ripple effects reach countries like Sri Lanka, a nation still struggling to recover from decades of civil war, political instability, and economic hardship.
Trump’s decisions, amplified by the influence of tech magnates like Elon Musk, push a narrative that amplified division, regressed rights, and threatened progress in countries that were on the cusp of social and economic development.
Here’s a look at how some of these policies impact Sri Lanka.
US Withdrawal from the WHO and UNHRC: A Blow to Public Health and Human Rights in Sri Lanka
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) weakened the global framework for health and rights advocacy. For Sri Lanka, this poses a direct threat to health initiatives, particularly around HIV/AIDS and the dialogue around the ethnic crisis.
In Sri Lanka, the government holds the monopoly on importing antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Trump’s withdrawal from global discussions has created a vacuum that weakens international pressure and funding for global health initiatives. Sri Lanka’s continued success in curbing HIV’s spread, largely supported by international bodies, is now at risk, leaving local authorities with fewer resources to continue critical HIV prevention and awareness campaigns.
The erosion of human rights protections under Trump’s administration, particularly the withdrawal from international agreements, sent a clear message: multilateralism was no longer a priority. For Sri Lanka, which had long struggled with human rights issues stemming from its civil war, this poses significant risks.
The international community’s decreased ability to hold Sri Lanka accountable for human rights violations make it harder for local advocacy groups to push for progress. Sri Lanka finds itself increasingly isolated, with fewer global allies supporting its efforts to improve governance.
Trump’s Cuts to USAID and the LGBTQIA+ Community
In an unprecedented move, Trump’s administration moved to shut down USAID’s funding for several global health and social programmes, including Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid, Transitional Justice, Youth Empowerment and Social Cohesion, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Economic Growth and Job Creation, Governance and Rule of Law, Education, Maternal and Child Health, Agriculture, and LGBTQIA+ awareness.
For Sri Lanka, a country where the aspects of the aforementioned areas still require development and are in the process of gaining ground, this marks a potential reversal of crucial progress.
Cultural Impact: Rise of Extremism and Hatred
In the aftermath of Trump’s controversial comments on gender, evangelical extremist groups in Sri Lanka, like the “Mavwarunge Peramuna” (Mothers’ Movement), took to the streets in support of Trump’s stance. They openly advocated for the eradication of what they termed the “LGBTQ virus” from the country. This rhetoric, steeped in hatred and misinformation, contributed to the growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Sri Lanka.
Such groups spread harmful and baseless conspiracy theories, including the idea that Sri Lanka was involved in a propaganda of promoting “paedophiles and people of deviant sexual desires”, and a “mafia of medication” forcibly inducing hormones in children for what they claimed as “sex change operations”.
These misleading narratives have created a climate of fear and confusion, undermining the progress made in educating the population about gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ rights.
Local media, previously educated to approach LGBTQIA+ issues with sensitivity, could face greater challenges in continuing such coverage. The previously hard-won understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues is now under threat, as the media is becoming increasingly polarised, following the lead of international figures like Trump.
Trump’s Position on Gaza and its Impact on Local Racism
Trump’s rhetoric surrounding the Gaza conflict, particularly his unwavering support for Israel, has further exacerbated existing tensions within Sri Lankan society. Sri Lankans, already divided over the issue, now find themselves forced to take sides, deepening ethnic and religious divides.
The debate surrounding Gaza fuelled anti-Muslim sentiment, particularly against the island’s Muslim community. Trump’s influence indirectly bolstered a sense of tribalism and division, especially in the face of a global narrative that, in some quarters, portrayed Muslim communities as the “other.” This adds fuel to the fire of rising racism in Sri Lanka.
Social Polarisation and the Rise of Political Extremism
Trump’s divisive political approach, emboldened by Musk’s outspoken support for populist rhetoric, also encourages a culture of “us versus them”. This mirrors the situation in Sri Lanka, where political divisions are becoming increasingly pronounced. The country sees the emergence of more extreme political factions, weakening civil discourse.
Sri Lanka’s growing youth movement, which previously advocated for unity and progress, finds itself divided, with ideological splits becoming more entrenched. The political climate has begun to mirror Trump’s own divisive approach, threatening the nation’s potential for consensus-building.
Economic Impact: International Investment and Trade
Trump’s “America First” policies have led to trade wars, including tariffs and import taxes, which hurt global markets. Sri Lanka, dependent on international trade for much of its economic growth, has found itself caught in the crossfire. Trump’s protectionist stance has reduced global demand for Sri Lankan exports, leading to a slow-down in economic growth.
Moreover, with international investment increasingly wary of the unpredictability of US policies, Sri Lanka lost out on opportunities for foreign direct investment.
Environmental Impact: The Consequences of Trump’s Climate Denial
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and roll back environmental protections had a profound impact on the global environment. Sri Lanka, a country vulnerable to climate change due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, faces heightened risks. With the US stepping away from climate leadership, Sri Lanka is left to fend for itself in addressing environmental concerns.
Local environmental movements, which were previously bolstered by international support, now find it harder to secure the necessary resources and attention to combat climate change.
Diplomatic Fallout: Strained US-Sri Lanka Relations
Trump’s foreign policy often prioritises isolationism, and his government has taken a hard stance on many international diplomatic relationships. Sri Lanka, which had navigated a delicate balancing act in its foreign policy, has found its ties with the US strained.
Trump’s disregard for diplomacy made it harder for Sri Lanka to engage in constructive dialogue with the US, leading to reduced collaboration on key issues like trade, security, and development.
The Tech-Driven Maniac and Culture War: Musk’s Influence on Sri Lanka’s Media
Elon Musk’s influence on global social media platforms, particularly Twitter, played a role in accelerating the culture wars. Musk’s promotion of free speech, often in the form of controversial and polarising statements, encourages Sri Lankan users to adopt a more radicalised approach to online discourse. Social media platforms, once a space for healthy debate, has now became battlegrounds for culture wars, mirroring the divisive rhetoric espoused by Trump. This trend further deepens societal divides in Sri Lanka, especially amongst younger generations who had embraced digital communication.
Contributing to the existing culture war rhetoric is Elon Musk’s infamous “Nazi Salute” gesture, one that is catering to the generaisation of authoritarian and oligarchic governance. There is a growing trend on Sri Lankan Social Media, particularly TikTok, where disputes occur over the gesture, with an overwhelming majority favouring it in what can only be described as an unconscious self-subjugation to the aforementioned ideologies.
Trump’s toxic policies, amplified by figures like Elon Musk, did not merely affect the United States; they echoed across the globe. In Sri Lanka, these decisions threaten to undo years of progress in public health, human rights, and social cohesion.
In a closing remark, it should noted that Sri Lanka has found itself at a crossroads, struggling to preserve its hard-won achievements in the face of a global tide of division and hate. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a political figure emerged from the leftist realm discrediting the very ideology Trump has been and is now promoting, should take careful consideration in navigating the diplomatic ties with the US, without letting himself and his administration become a pawn of the far-right contrivance.
