Most new governments take office with the weight of public expectations hanging heavy over them. In that regard, the expectations of Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his leftist-oriented National People's Power (NPP) movement are particularly onerous.
After a decisive outcome in the September presidential polls, Mr Dissanayake swiftly ordered parliamentary elections, seeking a clear mandate for NPP, which was at the forefront of the 2022 uprising that toppled then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lankans responded to the call.
NPP, which had just three seats in the previous House, now holds 159 of the 225 parliamentary seats after the Nov 14 elections.
Most impressively, while NPP's power base is in the populous Sinhala-dominated south of Sri Lanka, its alliance scored heavily in Jaffna, the headquarters of the northern province and erstwhile bastion of the Tamil minority's separatist movement.
It has swept away the entrenched political elite that dominated Sri Lanka's post-independence politics and embarked on an unfamiliar adventure: running the nation of 22 million people. Now it has to deliver.
Will it be able to? Aside from AKD, as Mr Dissanayake is known around the island, few in his Cabinet of some two dozen members have significant administrative experience, even if they carry impressive paper qualifications.
AKD, who turned 56 on Nov 24, himself retained two key portfolios - finance and defence.
Tellingly, he retained two key officials of the former government - the central bank chief and the finance secretary.
What lies ahead?
A South Asian, China-friendly "Cuba" on India's southern tip? A dirigiste regime hewing to the Marxist-Leninist instincts of NPP's parent organisation, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has a history of armed insurrections?
A bumbling, fumbling band of well-meaning newbies in Cabinet?
この記事は The Straits Times の November 25, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の November 25, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
K-pop star Psy's home temporarily seized due to penalty arrears
Singer Psy recently had his luxury home in Seoul temporarily seized by the authorities after he failed to pay an administrative penalty imposed by the district office, local media outlets reported on Nov 25.
BTS' Jimin and Jung Kook face off at Billboard Music Awards
K-pop supergroup BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook will face off at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), which will take place on Dec 12.
Stefanie Sun fails to nab Taipei Arena for 2025 world tour
It has been a decade since homegrown Mandopop star Stefanie Sun last headlined her own tour, so when her upcoming world tour Aut Nihilo Sun Yanzi In Concert was announced recently, fans went into a frenzy.
Society is sick': Actor Ryan Lian after netizens laugh at him for being attacked
Local actor Ryan Lian has hit back at netizens who were unkind to him after learning that he was injured in a recent knife attack.
Binge-worthy K-variety series is a celebration of tenacity and sisterhood
Iron Girls follows the trials and triumphs of four award-winning South Korean actresses who signed up for the toughest roles of their lives – participants of the 2024 World Triathlon Cup in Tongyeong.
Problemista's whimsy is wearying, Blitz a conventional WWII drama
Alejandro (Julio Torres) from El Salvador is an aspiring toy designer in New York City. With time running out on his American work visa, he becomes personal assistant to an erratic art critic (Tilda Swinton) as his only hope for a sponsored residency.
Moana 2 charts familiar waters, but stays buoyant
Disney's second voyage with Moana dives deeper into Pacific culture
Shrek director tackles animation taboo in Netflix fairy tale Spellbound
Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.
New head hopes to offer alternative to 'junk food'
General manager of SGIFF Jeremy Chua courts young viewers and social media
Music kings take back their crowns
Must-see MV: G-Dragon – 2024 Mama performance medley
