COLOMBO, Nov 15: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leftist coalition, the National People’s Power (NPP), secured a resounding victory in snap parliamentary elections on Friday, claiming at least 123 seats in the 225-member assembly. With over three-quarters of ballots counted, the NPP commanded 62 percent of the vote, a decisive margin that shattered the opposition and cemented Dissanayake’s grip on the country’s political landscape. The NPP’s overwhelming success comes just two months after Dissanayake’s rise to the presidency in September, driven by promises to tackle corruption and recover misappropriated assets following Sri Lanka’s crippling financial crisis.

The election results mark a historic political shift in Sri Lanka. The NPP, which had previously held only three seats in the outgoing parliament, now enjoys a commanding majority. The decision to dissolve the old assembly and call fresh elections was vindicated, with the NPP poised to dominate the legislative process and implement its anti-corruption and economic reform agenda. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa’s party was far behind, securing only 18 percent of the vote.

“This is a victory for the people, who voted to get rid of corruption and a corrupt system,” said Chanaka Rajapaksha, an IT professional who supported the NPP in the election. “This victory shows the public’s desire for change and accountability.”

Dissanayake, who identifies as a Marxist, expressed confidence in the results after casting his vote on Thursday. “We see this as a critical turning point for Sri Lanka,” he said. “We expect a strong mandate to form a strong parliament, and we are confident the people will give us this mandate.” He emphasized that the political culture of Sri Lanka had already begun to change with his presidential victory in September, and that this transformation must continue with parliamentary support.

Founded in 2019, the NPP had aimed to secure a two-thirds majority to push through key reforms, including tackling poverty and addressing the economic challenges left in the wake of Sri Lanka’s severe financial crisis. The crisis, which culminated in the ousting of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022, triggered widespread protests, food shortages, and fuel crises. It also led to Sri Lanka securing a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize the economy.

With this election victory, Dissanayake’s NPP becomes the first leftist coalition in Sri Lanka to control both the presidency and the parliament. This shift in power could have far-reaching implications for the country’s domestic and foreign policies, potentially moving Sri Lanka toward a more socialist approach and recalibrating its relationships with global powers, particularly China and India.

The 225-seat parliament was contested under Sri Lanka’s proportional representation electoral system, with 196 seats up for grabs in district-level contests. The remaining 29 seats, designated as “national list” positions, will be allocated based on each party’s share of the national vote. This system ensures that parties with significant national support, like the NPP, are represented even in districts where they may not have won a majority of votes.

Dissanayake’s victory is a significant political development in Sri Lanka, as it positions his coalition to push forward with reforms aimed at revitalizing the economy and restoring public trust in government institutions. However, the NPP’s success also comes at a time of deep national discontent, with many Sri Lankans still grappling with the aftereffects of the economic crisis and austerity measures.

In the months ahead, Dissanayake will face the challenge of managing expectations and navigating the difficult task of rebuilding the country’s economy while staying true to his platform of social justice and anti-corruption. But with a strong parliamentary majority and widespread public support, the NPP is poised to reshape Sri Lanka’s political future.

The victory also signals the growing disillusionment with the traditional political establishment, particularly the Rajapaksa family, which has dominated Sri Lankan politics for much of the past two decades. The Rajapaksa-led administration was widely blamed for mishandling the economy, and neither Mahinda nor Gotabaya Rajapaksa is contesting this election, further illustrating the collapse of their political influence.

As the NPP prepares to take control of the government, all eyes will be on how Dissanayake and his coalition implement their ambitious reform agenda and navigate the complexities of governing a country still reeling from economic turmoil.