Deepening Political Crisis in Sri Lanka

Deepening Political Crisis in Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA LECTURE SERIES

Prof.Siri Hettige (Sri Lanka Chair, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka)

The change of government in Sri Lanka following the presidential and parliamentary elections held in 2015 was welcomed by many people both within and outside the country for it opened up opportunities for addressing a range of longstanding issues with respect to governance, development and national reconciliation after a lapse of about a decade since the end of the ethnic war that ravaged the country for nearly thirty years. However, despite many positive initiatives in the months that followed such as the establishment of new institutions to facilitate the process of much desired change, growing political pressures have hampered progress on many fronts, often resulting in significant setbacks. These developments have naturally frustrated political and civil society groups who significantly contributed to the political transformation in 2015. The apparent failure of the government to vigorously pursue the reform processes due to diverse circumstances has created a widespread sense of uncertainty and disillusionment in the country. Many perceive the emergent situation as an intractable political crisis that could make the incumbent government increasingly unpopular and prepare the ground for a reversal of the triumph of liberal democracy in 2015 leading to far reaching adverse consequences.