New political formation under Dullas in the offing?

The economic downfall, triggered both by COVID-19 and mismanagement, led to social and political unrest

The current predicament of the country is bound to spring further surprises in politics in terms of new political amalgamations

The SLPP is blamed for the present economic crisis that is visible in the form of queues for gas and fuel running for miles. The hospitals run short of essential medicines and the food prices are surging

The latest scenario has prompted the political parties and their leaders to think afresh and rebrand themselves to stay relevant in future politics

Ad hoc policies in politics led the country down the path of disaster, and no party or leader could resurrect it from this abyss singlehandedly

In a time of crisis of epic proportion, the end result may be something unpredicted, and it is more so in politics. What Sri Lanka goes through currently is a period of social, political and economic turbulence with uncertainty hanging on the horizon. The economic downfall, triggered both by COVID-19 and mismanagement, led to social and political unrest. Mass protests that erupted culminated in the resignation of then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet. Flames of violence engulfed the nation on May 9.

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who is the lone parliamentarian on his side took office as the Prime Minister after Mr. Rajapaksa left office on May 9. When his party was relegated to the lowest level only with one slot on the National List and no elected member at the 2020 parliamentary elections, nobody ever anticipated that Mr. Wickremesinghe would once again be in charge of the premiership. Still, it happened making it a reality, time and again that nothing is impossible in politics.

The current predicament of the country is bound to spring further surprises in politics in terms of new political amalgamations. As such, the political complexion of Sri Lanka is now poised to alter drastically given the unfolding circumstances that resulted in the loss of public interest in traditional parties, politics and policies. The impossible happened in politics in recent times. In one instance, Mr. Wickremesinghe took office as the Prime Minister. In the other instance, the Rajapaksas (family members of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) were once hailed by people as heroes, particularly after the 2009 war victory. Ironically, they have now become the villains of the present economic mess. They have been subjected to public anger so much so that they no longer wield sufficient political clout. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which is led by them is now a political entity with its popularity on the wane. The SLPP is blamed for the present economic crisis that is visible in the form of queues for gas and fuel running for miles. The hospitals run short of essential medicines and the food prices are surging. Inflation has hit a new high. Naturally, the SLPP has lost its political steam. Likewise, general anathema prevails against traditional politics and politicians.

Accordingly, the latest scenario has prompted the political parties and their leaders to think afresh and rebrand themselves to stay relevant in future politics. Already, they have embarked on working out strategies. Close observation of their activities will shine a light on what they are up to. 

Former Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma indicated such a development when he made his remarks to the press in recent times. Earlier, it was speculated that he was eyeing premiership. In his remarks, he said ad hoc policies in politics led the country down the path of disaster, and no party or leader could resurrect it from this abyss singlehandedly. He pins the blame on traditional politics though he is very much a part of it for the current predicament of the country. At the same time, he says no party or individual can resolve the existing issues singlehandedly. Clearly, he is up for a new political front.

He speaks extensively of a broad political front reserving more space for youths and intelligentsia. He says such a political movement should accommodate people based on meritocracy casting aside nepotism, cronyism and family affiliations. A new political formation under him is in the offing. That is an outcome of the current crisis. New rallying points have been evolved to attract people. The end of nepotism, cronyism and family affiliations in politics is one of them. By saying so, he tries to drive home the message that he advocates a departure from traditional politics.  

In this exercise, it looks like he attempts to galvanise the vote bases that are otherwise with the SLPP or the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) under a new political brand. The Rajapaksas or their loyalists will be excluded from it, according to incident information available. It is an exercise aimed at the revival of the left–of–centre political forces with a fresh outlook. 

In 2019, Sinhala nationalism was whipped by the political forces that backed the candidacy of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to garner votes. However, it won’t be the case this time around for the same forces to rally behind the proposed political entity to be formed by Mr. Alahapperuma. The new movement will seek moderation in this regard and leave space for the accommodation of a wider cross-section of people and organisations. Once the new party is formed, it is expected to enter into an alliance with other like-minded parties.

As things stand at the moment, this movement is proposed to be formed as an alternative to the right-of-centre forces led by the UNP. 

The success of any political initiative will depend on the resolution of the economic crisis. Signs of early resolution of it have now been diminished. Early resolution is possible only if the current government musters sufficient assistance from the international community. The nature of future politics will further be determined by the performance of the new government in
economic revival.