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What are the factors guiding voter preference in Sri Lanka?

Published

7 months ago

2025/07/17

Coordinating Secretary of the Democratic Left Front, G V D Tilakasiri, Executive Director NPC. Jehan Perera, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri and Dr. Johann H. Hesse, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka (pic courtesy EU, Colombo)

European Union funded survey reveals

A research report titled Factors Guiding Voter Preference in Elections in Sri Lanka, commissioned by the National Peace Council under the European Union funded project “Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy”, was launched on 27 June in Colombo.

The text of the EU, Colombo statement: “The study conducted by Dr. Mahesh Senanayake and Ms. Crishni Silva of the University of Colombo offers valuable insights into the key drivers of voter behaviour within Sri Lanka’s dynamic political context. It examines how factors such as economic concerns, perceptions of leadership, trust in public institutions and prevailing social issues influence electoral decisions.

The research showed that voters overwhelmingly prioritised candidates who would offer clear strategies to address the economic crisis, fight corruption and ensure good governance. 93 percent of respondents indicated they would vote based on a candidate’s ability to resolve the economic crisis. 83 percent prioritised candidates committed to tackling corruption. 86 percent favoured candidates with strong educational backgrounds, signalling a preference for qualified, competent leaders over political dynasties.

The study also found a decline in the effectiveness of political patronage, with nearly 50 percent of voters rejecting transactional politics such as food aid distribution, government job promises and infrastructure projects for electoral gain. This indicates a shift towards issue-based and policy driven decision making.

Voters are also moving away from identity-based politics, with factors such as ethnicity, religion and age – once dominant in elections – now less influential. A significant percentage of voters focused instead on leadership qualities, governance policies and economic strategies.

The launch event brought together a diverse group of participants, including academics, policymakers, political actors, project partners and media personnel.

Project Manager, Ben Perinpanayagam, who introduced the Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy (ACED) project outlined its objectives to safeguard enabling civic space and promote political pluralism and inclusion by sharing and applying locally generated knowledge. The project is a collaborative initiative led by NPC in partnership with People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), the Association of War Affected Women (AWAW), the Centre for Communication Training (CCT), and Women and Democracy (W&D) in the Maldives. With funding from the European Union, the project seeks to enhance electoral integrity, strengthen civic engagement, and improve democratic processes in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Dr. Johann H. Hesse, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka, addressed the audience as the special guest. He reaffirmed the EU’s continued support to democracy, governance and citizen empowerment in Sri Lanka. He explained the EU’s rationale for funding initiatives such as ACED noting that democracy, rule of law and human rights are central values enshrined in EU Treaties.

Dr. Hesse referred to past EU election observation missions in Sri Lanka, including last year’s presidential election observation and expert missions for parliamentary elections. These engagements, he said, reflected the EU’s belief in supporting democratic processes worldwide. He also referenced the disclaimer in the report noting that while the EU funded the research, it was not responsible for the opinions or political content, which belonged solely to the authors and those involved.

In conclusion, Dr. Hesse emphasised the two way process of democracy with bottom up values and top down responsiveness. He raised the inclusion of women in politics as a critical area needing improvement, referencing international conventions, such as CEDAW and recommendations from election observation missions. He encouraged these themes to be explored in follow up workshops and commended NPC for its initiative and successful completion of the research.

Special invitee, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, acknowledged the government’s perspective on strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing citizen trust. He emphasised that Sri Lanka was a democracy and understanding the electorate was vital. A survey of this nature was not merely an academic exercise but a diagnostic tool. He expressed his appreciation to the research team, stating that without such research, understanding of political trends would be based on speculation. “Research must be an evidence-based exercise and this study is highly beneficial to society,” he said.

Mr. Saputhanthri highlighted that findings from the report were clearly reflected in recent presidential and parliamentary elections. He stressed that this report provided invaluable insight to political parties to understand voter sentiment, the media to shape public discourse and the public as a mirror of its collective expectations. He noted a significant shift from patronage politics to policy-driven culture, with voters maturing and demanding concrete solutions rather than mere election promises. Additionally, he emphasised the call for fundamental system change, urging all stakeholders – government, private sector and civil society – to collaborate and build trust.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the research methodology and findings by Dr. Mahesh Senanayake and Ms. Crishni Silva. They detailed their use of conjoint analysis to determine what matters most to voters during elections, offering a data-driven foundation for understanding voter behaviour. Enumerators who conducted fieldwork shared their experiences, offering authentic insights into community engagement and the diversity of voter perspectives encountered. The event also featured responses from political party representatives, who reflected on how the study’s insights could shape future policies and electoral strategies.

The study is available on the NPC website at https://www.peace-srilanka.org/news-media/publications

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CIABOC probe: CC under pressure to ask Speaker to step down as Chairman

Published

15 hours ago

2026/02/9

Thilina Walpola

Dayasiri questions legitimacy of appointments made by Council

The Constitutional Council (CC) should ask its head, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, to step down temporarily pending an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) into a complaint lodged by sacked Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has said.

Former Minister Jayasekera said so in response to The Island queries pertaining to Kularatne’s recent complaint to the CIABOC.

Jayasekera pointed out that the CC, which is responsible for key appointments, couldn’t afford to have a person under CIABOC investigation as its head. “We have never experienced a similar situation since the establishment of the CC in 2000,” the Kurunegala District lawmaker said.

Parliament introduced CC under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. It was abolished in 2010, reinstated in 2015 through the 19th Amendment, then replaced by a Parliamentary Council in 2020, and reintroduced via the 21st Amendment in October 2022.

MP Jayasekera said that the NPP government had turned a blind eye to his recent request made in Parliament for the Speaker to step down. He said that subsequently he had discussed the issue with other MPs and they were of the view that Dr. Wickramaratne’s continuation as the Chairman of the CC undermined the integrity of the council.

A parliamentary committee headed by Dr. Wickramaratne sacked Kularatne on January 23 over alleged irregularities pertaining to his appointment as Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff. Kularatne lodged the complaint with the CIABOC on 2 February.

Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne were appointed as non-Members of Parliament to the CC on 23 January, the day Parliament sacked Kularatne.

MP Jayasekera said that the CC should discuss the issue with the Speaker. Political parties represented in parliament should intervene to ensure that the controversy over the Speaker’s conduct didn’t undermine the apex body.

The CC consists of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya (Ex-officio), Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne (Ex-officio), Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa (Ex-officio), one MP appointed by the President (Bimal Rathnayake), five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, M.P), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs of the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs—Ajith P. Perera—and three persons nominated by the Speaker by agreement of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition—Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne—and one MP nominated by agreement of the MPs other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President (Sivagnanam Shritharan, M.P).

The CC recommend nominations to the President for the appointment of Chairpersons and Members of Election Commission, Public Service Commission, National Police Commission, Audit Service Commission, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Finance Commission, Delimitation Commission and National Procurement Commission.

Jayasekera asked how Dr. Wickramaratne could continue as CC head as appointments to CIABOC, too, are made by the 10-member body.

The CC also approve/disapprove recommendations by the President for the appointment Chief Justice and the Judges of the Supreme Court, President and the Judges of the Court of Appeal, Members of the Judicial Service Commission, other than the Chairman, Attorney-General, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Auditor-General, Inspector-General of Police, Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) and Secretary General of Parliament.

MP Jayasekera said that it would be really interesting to see the response of the newly appointed civil society members to the developing situation. The SJBer pointed out that the recent appointment of Samudika Jayaratne, a Senior Deputy Auditor General as the Auditor General was made after Kularatne moved the CIABOC against the Speaker.

The JVP and NPP, having preached other political parties of transparency, couldn’t pretend the Speaker’s issue was not serious. Dr. Wickramaratne was appointed Speaker in Dec 2024 after Asoka Ranwala had to step down after being exposed for making false higher education qualifications.

by Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Auditor General urged to probe coal scam

Published

15 hours ago

2026/02/9

Thilina Walpola

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) Friday (6) called on newly appointed Auditor General Samudika Jayarathne to begin her tenure by launching an investigation into the controversial coal procurement deal, which has drawn widespread public criticism.

Addressing a media briefing in Marandagahamula, Gampaha, ECA Secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika, said the probe should be conducted independently. The appointment of a new Auditor General, following a vacancy of nearly six to seven months, was a crucial step in restoring the effectiveness of the state audit system, he said, extending congratulations to Jayarathne.

Dhammika urged the Auditor General to carry out a swift, independent investigation into the questionable coal procurement deals, alleging that they had caused significant economic and environmental harm to the country.

He called for the findings of such an investigation to be disclosed to the public as a priority.

He also called for an immediate audit of Lanka Transformer Ltd, which has faced severe criticism from the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). Dhammika said the audit should reveal details of alleged irregularities, identify those responsible, and disclose any misuse of public funds.

Noting that the government held a substantial share in Lanka Transformer Ltd, he stressed that the matter constituted a direct responsibility of the State.

“The audit system should not function to provide political protection, but to safeguard public funds,” Dhammika said, adding that the Association expected the new Auditor General to uphold this principle.

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

News

First-ever monkey holding centre to be set up in Matale

Published

15 hours ago

2026/02/9

Thilina Walpola

A 150-hectare site near the Kalu Ganga Reservoir in Matale District has been earmarked for Sri Lanka’s first-ever holding centre for Toque Macaques, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) announced.

The centre will feature water, food, and security facilities, providing a safe environment to manage macaques that cause damage in nearby communities. The Matale District Development Committee has approved the project, following a recommendation from the DWC.

Wildlife Range Officer Chamath Lakshman Perera told the Committee that similar holding centres operate in several countries, including Malaysia. A total of Rs. 283.87 million has been allocated for the project.

Under the plan, macaques causing destruction will be captured and relocated to the centre. Population control measures will include fitting loops on female monkeys to prevent breeding. The facility will be secured to ensure the animals cannot escape back into the wild.

Officials said the site has sufficient natural food sources, but additional supplies will be provided if necessary. Each macaque is expected to require around 70 grams of food per day.

The project aims to balance wildlife conservation with community protection, offering a model for managing human-macaque conflicts in the country, Perera said.

by Nimal Gunathilake