Dr. Jehan Perera

Executive Director – National Peace Council of Sri Lanka

Q: In your opinion, what are the most critical issues facing our country in terms of governance?

A: The notion that the country required ‘system change’ was promoted by the student led protest movement that publicly eschewed racism and upheld the rights of equal citizenship in their slogans. The youth and the protest movement they gave life to addressed several key issues, most notably those of corruption and the absence of financial accountability.

But they also addressed the ‘ethnic conflict’ that has been a persistent feature of Sri Lanka since its independence and before there was any economic crisis. The country is presently witnessing a positive transformation of electoral politics in relation to this longstanding conflict.

The three leading candidates in the upcoming presidential election are fiercely competing with each other in spheres such as the economy and how best to deal with corruption. But they are able to demonstrate a common commitment to the 13th Amendment and devolution of power to the provinces.

This marks a significant departure from the past when ethnic nationalism was often exploited to incite violence and garner votes. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa pledged his support for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment while in Jaffna, and National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake also committed to working with the provincial council system while also in Jaffna and most recently, in London.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, notably consistent on this issue, advocated for the devolution of police and land powers shortly after assuming office. Achieving a bipartisan and multiparty consensus on resolving the ethnic conflict has historically been a challenge for Sri Lanka.

Previous government leaders who struck agreements with Tamil representatives failed to fulfil their promises due to opposition from political rivals who manipulated ethnic nationalist fears. Civil society too has a critical role in fostering a national consensus for a political settlement.

This would enable the next administration to concentrate on stabilising the economic crisis, enhancing social safety nets, unlocking the country’s growth potential, and addressing governance and corruption issues.

The coming opportunities for transformative system change need to be seized.