Wide angle Evaluates President Anura Kumara’s First 100 Days in Office

• 5opn1
• January 5, 2025
• Weekly Political Review
• Wide angle Evaluates President Anura Kumara’s First 100 Days in Office
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Weekly Political Review
Sri Lanka’s New Leadership: Promises, Progress, and Pitfalls

By Rohana Jith

Sri Lankans appear to have placed the new government under scrutiny, granting it a probationary period to fulfill their expectations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), leader of the JVP/NPP, has completed just over 100 days in office, with the new parliament in operation for only 49 days.

While this period is too brief to provide a comprehensive assessment, AKD has already made notable strides in both symbolic and substantive areas.

Symbolic Changes Reflecting a Liberal Vision

President Dissanayake has taken several symbolic steps to reflect his government’s progressive values.

These include declining the official presidential residence, forming the smallest cabinet in Sri Lanka’s history, and appointing a visually impaired individual and 21 women from non-political backgrounds to parliament.

These measures emphasize inclusivity and a break from traditional political norms, earning public approval.

Tackling Corruption and Structural Issues

Since assuming office, AKD has intensified the country’s anti-corruption efforts, leading to the initiation of several high-profile investigations. His administration plans to amend the 2023 Anti-Corruption Act to close legal loopholes hindering accountability. Notable cases are currently under investigation, signaling the government’s commitment to addressing systemic corruption.

One of the administration’s flagship initiatives, the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, was launched with the dawn of the New Year.

This ambitious project aims to bring about a social, environmental, and ethical revival, transcending political and communal divisions.

By promoting transparency, eradicating corruption, and improving living standards, the initiative aspires to effect long-term behavioral and qualitative changes in society.

The government has publicized its progress through a campaign titled “A 100 Days for a 100 Years,” encapsulating key milestones achieved during AKD’s first 100 days.

While such messaging instills hope and direction, it risks backlash if citizens perceive the claims as exaggerated or disconnected from their daily struggles. Sustaining public trust will require translating these campaigns into tangible results.

Economic Challenges and Continuity

When AKD assumed office, Sri Lanka was still navigating a precarious economic recovery following its bankruptcy.

Despite earlier campaign promises of immediate relief, such as lowering taxes, reducing electricity tariffs, and curbing the cost of living, these pledges remain unfulfilled.

The President’s administration appears committed to adhering to the IMF’s conditions, prioritizing long-term economic stabilization over populist measures.

Critics argue that AKD is following the footsteps of his predecessors, former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, by relying heavily on committees to address governance challenges.

The appointment of these committees, while potentially useful, recalls past failures where such mechanisms achieved little beyond wasting public funds.

AKD’s government must demonstrate that its committees are action-oriented, transparent, and capable of delivering results.

Lessons from Past Governments

Sri Lanka’s history is littered with unfulfilled promises from new administrations. The “100-day program” of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government became infamous for the Central Bank bond scam, while Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s early tax reforms contributed to the economic crisis of 2022.

These historical precedents underline the importance of realistic goals and prudent policymaking during a government’s initial phase.

AKD’s government has focused on initiatives such as the Clean Sri Lanka program, digitalization, and poverty alleviation.

However, the lack of clear timelines and actionable steps raises concerns about their effectiveness.

For example, the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, headquartered at the Prime Minister’s vacant official residence, has yet to produce concrete outcomes. Similarly, pressing issues like rising food prices, a rice shortage, and medicine scarcities remain unresolved, testing the administration’s ability to deliver meaningful change.

Governance Challenges and Public Skepticism

Public skepticism surrounding the Clean Sri Lanka program has been heightened by its perceived parallels to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s “rule by Task Force” era.

The ambiguous mandate of the program’s task force—which includes military and police officials—has fueled concerns about inefficiency and misuse of resources.

Critics question why an additional layer of authority is necessary when existing public institutions are already tasked with implementing environmental and social policies.

Clause (vii) of the task force’s mandate empowers it to identify and recommend legal provisions for ensuring the sustainability of the program’s outcomes.

However, this vague language has led to doubts about the task force’s purpose and effectiveness. Critics have likened its approach to searching for solutions as futile as Diogenes’ search for an “honest man.”

Mixed Results in the First 100 Days

While AKD’s administration has made progress in curbing wasteful state spending and reducing perks for former political VIPs, its handling of several issues has drawn criticism.

The government’s response to economic challenges—including persistent food shortages, high commodity prices, and delays in public services like passport issuance—has been inadequate, leaving many citizens frustrated.

The administration’s reliance on task forces and committees to address systemic issues has also come under fire. For instance, the Clean Sri Lanka program’s goal of “restoring the eroded social and environmental fabric” appears noble but lacks actionable clarity.

Critics argue that the real solution lies in enforcing existing laws and ensuring proper governance, rather than creating additional bureaucratic layers.

The Path Forward

President Dissanayake’s government faces the dual challenge of meeting citizens’ immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term reforms.

The administration must balance symbolic gestures with substantive actions to maintain public trust and avoid the pitfalls of previous governments.

Transparency and accountability will be key to ensuring the success of initiatives like the Clean Sri Lanka program. By providing clear timelines, measurable goals, and regular updates, the government can address public skepticism and build confidence in its ability to govern effectively.

Ultimately, the success of AKD’s presidency will depend on his ability to bridge the gap between campaign promises and governance realities. While the first 100 days have shown promise, much work remains to be done to fulfill the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people