Need for strong Opposition

The National People’s Power (NPP) coalition won a landslide victory last week as voters ousted a vast majority of the political ‘old guard.’ Having secured 159 seats and a two-thirds majority, the NPP has obtained an unprecedented mandate. It is the fervent wish of a majority of the people that they do succeed in their endeavours and deliver on the promises made. 

Yet as history has shown the most populist parties, and beloved leaders can evolve and change once in power and tasted political office. It is for this reason that an opposition, or a government in waiting, is crucial for a healthy, functioning democracy that offers checks and balances to the executive. 

As the recent elections have shown, the traditional Opposition parties have been outright rejected by the electorate. The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has obtained only 40 seats while the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) comes in third with eight seats. The other two main parties of the south, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which had a massive two-thirds majority in the last Parliament has been reduced to three seats while the New Democratic Front (NDF) has obtained five seats.

As the JVP and later the NPP demonstrated, the numbers in Parliament are not the only factor that determines an effective Opposition force. Even with a paltry three seats, the NPP was a formidable force, voicing the frustrations and aspirations of the people, especially during the economic and political calamity of 2022.

Much less can be expected from the current Opposition. The SLPP is a family-run party which has lost its hold on Sri Lankan politics, and the NDF is a desperate and disparate coalition of rejects from all shades of political colour which has little cohesion or policy. Neither shows any promise of being an effective Opposition other than through dog whistling of ethnic and religious divisions.

This then leaves the SJB. As the custodians of the mandate of the United National Party (UNP) it can be an effective political alternative for a left-wing socialist administration of the NPP. Historically left leaning governments have not been able to deliver the much-desired economic change and prosperity. The mandate delivered to the NPP is mostly on its promise of tackling corruption and waste rather than any anti open economic policies which may be closer to its ideological base. If the SJB is to be an effective Opposition it needs to occupy this space for a centre-right, pro-market, high growth party that offers space to all ethnic and religious minorities. 

If the SJB is to be such an effective Opposition, then it needs to start by shedding its baggage including its current leader. A party that emerged as a breakaway to the UNP due to the latter’s leader’s refusal to relinquish power should not itself be dragged down because of a leader holding onto office. Sajith Premadasa has now lost every election he had contested as the leader of the SJB, including two presidential and general elections. It is time for him to hand over the reins of the SJB to another, either within or outside Parliament. Sri Lanka’s democracy is too fragile to take the best intentions of its elected leaders for granted. It requires a robust Opposition which can prove to be a worthy government in waiting. Sajith Premadasa cannot offer such an alternative. It is hoped he gives the opportunity to someone who can.