By Adolf
Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s (AKD) rise to the presidency marked a historic moment in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. As the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) and a long-standing opposition figure, his strength has always been his ability to critique the failures of past governments. He was the first president to be elected with less than 50% of the vote—securing only 43%. His victory was largely due to the bickering between Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, which split the opposition vote. However, AKD seems to have forgotten this, as his government now enjoys a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The opposition leader must be blamed for running a poor election campaign. History shows that whoever wins the presidency tends to win the subsequent general election. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, for instance, had a two-thirds majority and a record 6.9 (52%) million votes in 2019. Anura got 5.6 (42%) million in 2024.
Governing is Not Opposing
Gotabaya’s presidency clearly demonstrated that governing is vastly different from opposing. If President Anura truly wants to lead Sri Lanka into a new era, he must transition from being an opposition politician to a statesman capable of making tough, pragmatic decisions. He must avoid surrounding himself with yes-men, chamber executives like Hulungamuwa, businessmen and academics, as Gotabaya did, which ultimately led to his downfall. While AKD is undoubtedly a skilled orator who can dismantle his opponents, that skill constitutes only 10% of the job. The real challenge lies in governance and results .
Moving Beyond Protest Politics
For decades, AKD built his career on exposing corruption, inefficiency, and mismanagement in government. His speeches in Parliament have been sharp and relentless, earning him a reputation as a formidable opposition leader. However, being in power requires more than just pointing out problems—it demands solutions. Protest politics is effective for rallying support, but as president, he must now work with institutions, business leaders, and international stakeholders to implement real reforms. The transition from opposition to governance requires a shift in mindset—from agitation to action.
Managing Economic Realities, Not Just Criticizing Them
AKD has been vocal about economic mismanagement, particularly regarding debt, foreign influence, and corruption. However, he has been reluctant to acknowledge Mahinda Rajapaksa’s role in ending the war or Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic leadership. Sri Lanka’s economic reality is far more complex. The country is still navigating an IMF-backed recovery program, facing high debt repayments, and needing foreign investment for growth. Criticizing privatization, for example, is easy from the opposition, but as president, he must decide whether state-owned enterprises should be restructured, sold, or subsidized. If he fails to make pragmatic economic choices, investor confidence will plummet, and Sri Lanka’s economic recovery will stall.
Balancing Idealism with Pragmatism
AKD’s political ideology is deeply rooted in socialist principles, advocating for wealth redistribution and reducing corporate influence in policymaking. While these ideas resonate with many struggling Sri Lankans, running a country requires pragmatism. He must recognize that private sector growth, foreign direct investment, and global economic integration are crucial for Sri Lanka’s development. If he alienates key business leaders and investors, his administration will struggle to create jobs and boost economic productivity. Leadership means making compromises that ensure stability and progress, rather than rigidly adhering to ideological purity.
Building Alliances Instead of Enemies
As an opposition politician, AKD thrived on exposing the failures of the ruling parties. However, as president, his role must shift from confrontation to coalition-building. He needs the support of policymakers, the bureaucracy, the business community, and even sections of the opposition to pass critical reforms. If he continues to approach governance as an “us vs. them” battle, he will find himself isolated, with little ability to push through meaningful change. Successful leaders build consensus, even with those they once opposed.
Political Maturity
Leadership is about making tough, often unpopular, decisions. While the opposition thrives on populism, governance requires measured, sometimes painful choices. Whether it’s managing inflation, negotiating with international creditors, or reforming state institutions, President Anura must demonstrate that he can think beyond short-term political gains and act in the long-term interests of the nation.
Presidential
President Anura’s election victory represents a shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, but his real test begins now. He must prove that he is more than just an opposition firebrand—he must be a leader who can unify the country, make tough economic decisions, and drive sustainable growth. If he fails to mature into a statesman, Sri Lanka risks falling into deeper economic and political instability. It is time for him to grow beyond opposition rhetoric and become the leader the country needs. He has four years and few months left to deliver on his promises. Mahinda Rajapaksa, once seen as the uncrowned king, is now pushed into the political dustbin, his leadership during the war is ignored and the NPP tries very hard to discredit Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts . However, neither of the NPP ministers have Ranil’s experience or international exposure. They are happily running on the platform he put together during the crisis . The question is whether AKD can leverage these advantages to transform Sri Lanka or remain trapped in the role of an opposition politician. Time is running out fast for him and Sri Lanka.
