Sri Lanka's governing National People's Power coalition has largely maintained existing economic and security policies despite winning a legislative supermajority one year ago on promises of fundamental reform, according to analysis published this week. The administration continued implementing International Monetary Fund austerity measures while defense allocations increased to $1.52 billion for 2026, even as troop numbers declined, and education spending remained at historically low levels relative to gross domestic product.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government has not repealed counterterrorism legislation criticized by human rights organizations, delayed constitutional changes, including devolution of power to regions, and appointed former military personnel to transitional justice bodies over objections from Tamil political parties. Economists noted that addressing poverty affecting one-quarter of the population requires structural reforms that the administration has yet to pursue.
The coalition secured support from both the majority Sinhala and minority Tamil communities during the 2024 elections with pledges to eliminate corruption, expand public services, and establish regional governance frameworks.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government has not repealed counterterrorism legislation criticized by human rights organizations, delayed constitutional changes, including devolution of power to regions, and appointed former military personnel to transitional justice bodies over objections from Tamil political parties. Economists noted that addressing poverty affecting one-quarter of the population requires structural reforms that the administration has yet to pursue.
The coalition secured support from both the majority Sinhala and minority Tamil communities during the 2024 elections with pledges to eliminate corruption, expand public services, and establish regional governance frameworks.
