Favourability ratings of all major party leaders dip in June

• NPP/JVP leader AK Dissanayake ends with least unfavourable ratings

In the latest Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling, the net favourability ratings of all major party leaders fell significantly in June from their May ratings. NPP/JVP leader A.K. 

Dissanayake’s rating fell 16 points to -29 points, and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa’s favourability rating fell 37 points to -48. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa continued to have the most negative rating at -90.

Favourability estimates for each month are based on 100–500 interviews conducted during that month and during a few weeks before and afterwards to ensure a minimum set of responses. The June 2023 estimates are based on 416 (Sajith Premadasa), 365 (A.K.

Dissanayake), 424 (Ranil Wickremasinghe), and 181 (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) interviews.

SLOT compiler said negative scores, i.e., a net favourability rating of less than zero, means that the individual or institution is unpopular. Only positive scores, i.e., net favourability is more than zero, mean that the individual or institution is popular on average.

SLOTS surveys a national sample of adults (ages 18 and over) reached by random digit dialling of mobile numbers, and others coming from a national panel of respondents who were previously recruited through random selection. 

SLOTS tracks favourability by asking respondents if they have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of a public figure or institution: net favourability being the average of the positive (+100) and negative (-100) responses. All estimates are weighted to match the national population with respect to age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sector, province and past voting preference. Monthly estimates are based on samples of 100+ interviews pooled from interviews in each month and from weeks before and afterwards.

The SLOTS has been funded by the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, the UK National Institute for 

Health and Care Research (NIHR), The Asia Foundation in Sri Lanka, and others, but the sponsors play no role in the study design, analysis, or interpretation of findings. Interested parties can contact IHP for more detailed data and results.