Erik Solheim views election of AKD as ‘political earthquake’; flags off challenges

• Erik Solheim

  Asserts it is the first time since independence Sri Lankans elect a party and a candidate from outside traditional elite
• Says unprecedented win reflects widespread discontent felt by underprivileged people during economic crisis and popular support for AKD’s anti-corruption stance 
• Highlights challenges ahead for newly elected President
• Predicts AKD’s camp may struggle to achieve majority in Parliament
• Opines western nations can learn from peacefulness of election, and the grace main losing candidates Sajith Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe showed towards winner
• Asserts former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will go into history as the man who restored stability in Sri Lanka amidst worst economic crisis

Erik Solheim, former diplomat and adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, yesterday described the 2024 Presidential election result as a ‘political earthquake.’ 

“The left-wing candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected President of Sri Lanka this weekend. This is the first time since independence that the Sri Lankan people elect a party and a candidate from outside the traditional elite,” he noted via a post on ‘X’ yesterday.

Solheim noted that this unprecedented win reflects the widespread discontent felt by underprivileged Sri Lankans during the country’s economic crisis as well as the popular support for AKD’s anti-corruption stance and advocacy for increased welfare.

“Dissanayake, or AKD as he is affectionately called, comes from very humble upbringings in the Anuradhapura district. His party or coalition have never in the past been close to power. The result is a testimony to the pain underprivileged Sri Lankans have felt during the economic crisis. There is widespread sympathy for AKD’s fight against corruption and his call for more welfare for the people,” he added.

However, Solheim highlighted challenges ahead for the newly elected President. “The weakness of the election winner is that his coalition has very little experience running a complicated State like Sri Lanka. They will also struggle to implement their many promises in a most challenging economic environment,” he claimed.

He also suggested that AKD’s camp may struggle to achieve a majority in the Parliament. 

“This election is certain to raise eyebrows in many foreign capitals. Diplomats should think twice. AKD has reached out to India, China, and the West during his campaign. We should all reciprocate and help him become a successful leader. A more prosperous, peaceful, and greener Sri Lanka is in everyone’s interest. AKD deserves help on that journey,” he said.

Solheim also praised the peaceful nature of the election, noting that it was the first in a long time where chauvinism and ethnic extremism played no role during the campaign.

“Many western nations can learn from the peacefulness of the election and the grace the main losing candidates Sajith Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe showed towards the winner,” he pointed out.

Reflecting on Wickremesinghe’s tenure, Solheim credited him with restoring stability to Sri Lanka amidst an unprecedented economic crisis. “Wickremesinghe will go into history as the man who restored normalcy to Sri Lanka in the midst of the all-time economic meltdown. Hardly any leader in world history has been re-elected on the basis of implementing an IMF program. We will see more of Ranil,” Solheim said.