By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
“Sri Lankan voters are yearning for a new beginning, and with Sajith Premadasa, that change feels within reach. His leadership presents the opportunity to break away from the past’s failures and set the country on a path toward stability and progress.”
In the heart of Colombo, where history and politics converge, Sri Lanka teeters on the brink of change. Sajith Premadasa, burdened by the weight of his father’s tumultuous legacy, strides toward the highest office. The question remains—can he rise beyond his father’s tragic shadow and bring a new dawn to Sri Lanka? History in South Asia and beyond offers poignant lessons: legacy alone does not define one’s potential or success. Instead, actual change is forged in the present moment—by how one confronts and navigates the trials of their time.
During a recent visit to Cambridge University at Jesus College, a senior professor, after hearing my account of Sri Lanka’s political malaise, leaned in and whispered a haunting observation: “Do you know that if Jesus Christ were entrusted with administering the Roman Empire, he would falter?” His words, steeped in Machiavellian pragmatism, underscored the harsh realities of governance. This remark encapsulates the tension between ideals and the gritty realities of political power, where efficacy is tested not by noble intentions but by the ability to wield authority in an unforgiving world.
On that fateful day in May 1993, the streets of Colombo became a canvas of violence. Body parts lay scattered as a bomb, too close for the intelligence apparatus to intercept, claimed the life of R. Premadasa—the only sitting president in Sri Lankan history to be assassinated while in office. An outsider to elite circles, R. Premadasa rose not through privilege but sheer will, defying every convention. He was an anomaly—sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) back to India, shutting down Israel’s embassy, and resisting the entrenched political order. Imperfect but relentless, he quelled the rebellion and steered a faltering economy toward fragile stability.
In the wake of Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic collapse, the absurdity of the nation’s struggles is starkly evident. Hope has vanished, and many rise daily, only to endure another cycle of despair. Some have left the country altogether. Sri Lanka’s political landscape, a theatre of endless conflict and failed promises, mirrors the existential themes of The Myth of Sisyphus. Like Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only to see it roll back down, the nation seems trapped in a perpetual cycle of hope and disillusionment. Each attempt at reform collapses under the weight of entrenched corruption and systemic dysfunction, reflecting an existential absurdity where stability appears elusive.
This absurdity is not a philosophical abstraction but a lived reality for millions. Promises of change often dissolve into disillusionment, and political leaders, regardless of their intentions, find themselves ensnared in an endless cycle of reform and failure. As Sajith Premadasa prepares to assume the presidency, he faces a nation weary of broken promises—where each attempt at reform has risked becoming another Sisyphean struggle. His task, however, is not just to push the boulder uphill but to break free from this futile cycle, offering a vision of governance that transcends the absurdity and brings genuine stability to a beleaguered nation.
In contrast, the National People’s Power (NPP), with its roots in the Marxist-Leninist ideology of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), employs a different strategy. Historically, Marxist-Leninist movements have adeptly used public anger over economic deprivation as a political tool, channelling frustration to undermine the establishment and seize power. This time, the NPP has amplified its message through social media, creating an echo chamber that resonates with the public’s fears. By striking at the heart of economic grievances, they portray themselves as reformists open to liberal values while positioning the establishment as the source of all ills.
However, Premadasa envisions a different path that resonates with marginalised and minority communities. His party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has built coalitions with Tamil and Muslim communities, crucial voting blocs. Unlike the NPP’s revolutionary rhetoric, which appeals to the disenchanted, Premadasa offers stability. While the NPP’s inexperience remains a glaring concern, memories of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s failed presidency linger in the public consciousness.
Foreign investments further complicate the landscape. Adani, an Indian conglomerate, has ventured into Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector, but the NPP’s Marxist-Leninist platform threatens to cancel key projects like Adani’s wind power initiative. NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement, “Yes, we will definitely cancel it as it threatens our energy sovereignty,” echoes an ‘India Out’ sentiment reminiscent of movements in the Maldives and Bangladesh. This stance jeopardises public-private ventures and liberal economic practices, potentially undermining IMF recommendations for reform. Premadasa’s challenge is to revitalise the economy while preserving essential strategic partnerships. It’s a fact that a delicate balance in foreign relations can only be seen from a Premadasa regime.
Sri Lanka, with its fragile economy, cannot afford further experiments. The SAFN’s latest Sri Lanka Political Economic Analysis report highlights these risks. The NPP’s reform promises bring uncertainty where stability is crucial. Acutely aware of the nation’s fragility, Premadasa advocates for restoration rather than rupture. His team, including Harsha de Silva and Eran Wickramaratne, embodies not just hope but the competence necessary for effective governance, understanding that governance is not a self-centric endeavour.
The notion of political purity without the crucible of power is as illusory as the mirage of untainted virtue in governance. The NPP’s claims of incorruptibility remain theoretical, as they have yet to wield power. To assert moral superiority without facing the temptations of authority is a philosophical indulgence. In politics, corruption often arises from the machinery of influence rather than intention, and the NPP’s virtue is untested and unverifiable.
As the presidential election draws near, Sajith Premadasa stands at a critical juncture, not just as the son of R. Premadasa but as a leader capable of navigating Sri Lanka’s turbulent waters. His journey, marked by resilience in the face of adversity and his ability to rise above entrenched obstacles, positions him as a beacon of hope. For Sri Lankan voters, the choice is between remaining trapped in a cycle of disillusionment or embracing a leader who offers a genuine path to renewal. Sajith Premadasa’s leadership embodies a rare combination of experience, integrity, and a deep understanding of the nation’s struggles. His challenge is to transform this potential into tangible progress, breaking free from the cycles of failure and steering Sri Lanka toward a more hopeful and stable future.
*Asanga Abeyagoonasekera is the Executive Director of the South Asia Foresight Network(SAFN) and a Senior Fellow at the Millennium Project in Washington DC.
