-By A Staff writer
(Lanka-e-News -16.Nov.2024, 11.30 pm) On September 21, the “New Social Revolution of the Digital Era” was launched without a single act of violence, culminating on November 14 with Anura Kumara Dissanayake being elected as President and the National People’s Power (NPP) securing 159 parliamentary seats. This shift in power from one class to another is rightly called a social revolution, marking an unprecedented moment in Sri Lankan politics.
This revolution has offered valuable lessons not just to Sri Lanka but also to global politics. One of its most striking features was the harmonious coexistence of two contrasting entities: the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a historically smaller, grassroots-focused party, and the NPP, a broader, digitally-driven coalition. Operating under a unified leadership, their unprecedented collaboration sets a benchmark in political history, comparable to iconic revolutions like those in France, Russia, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
The revolution was the product of a creative leadership approach led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his team, who correctly interpreted the public’s frustrations during Sri Lanka’s recent “Aragalaya” (Struggle). This resulted in an overwhelming mandate from the people, symbolizing the culmination of their demands for change.
The “New Social Revolution of the Digital Era” is a case study that demands thorough academic examination. It reflects how traditional political elites, unprepared for change, were dismantled in the face of NPP’s decisive strategy. The traditional political class, disoriented by NPP’s immediate call for a general election following their presidential victory, struggled to mount an effective challenge. Divided and in disarray, their efforts resembled a slapstick performance, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin or Mr. Bean.
• National People’s Power (NPP): 6,863,186 votes (61.56%) – 159 seats
• Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB): 1,968,717 votes – 40 seats
• Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK): 257,813 votes – 8 seats
• New Democratic Front (NDF): 500,835 votes – 5 seats
• Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP): 350,429 votes – 3 seats
• Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC): 87,038 votes – 3 seats
• Sarva Jana Bala Party: 178,008 votes – 1 seat
• United National Party (UNP): 66,234 votes – 1 seat
• Democratic Tamil National Alliance: 66,382 votes – 1 seat
• All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC): 39,894 votes – 1 seat
• All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC): 33,911 votes – 1 seat
• Jaffna Independent Group 17: 27,855 votes – 1 seat
• Sri Lanka Labour Party: 17,710 votes – 1 seat
1. Largest Vote Count: NPP secured 6,863,186 votes, surpassing the previous record of 6,853,690 votes by SLPP in 2020.
2. Highest Vote Percentage: NPP achieved 61.56%, breaking the 60.33% record set by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in 2010.
3. Most Districts Won: NPP won 21 out of 22 districts, only losing Batticaloa. This broke the 2010 record of 19 districts by UPFA.
4. Highest Number of Electorates: NPP triumphed in 152 electorates, surpassing UPFA’s 136 in 2010.
5. Most Parliamentary Seats: With 159 seats, NPP broke SLPP’s 2020 record of 145 seats.
6. Most National List Seats: NPP secured 18 seats, surpassing SLPP’s 17 in 2020.
7. Two-Thirds Majority: NPP became the first single party to secure over two-thirds of Parliament under the proportional representation system.
8. Most Female Representatives: With 21 women MPs, 19 of whom belong to NPP, this Parliament has the highest female representation in Sri Lanka’s history.
The new Parliament is set to convene on November 21, when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will present the new government’s policy statement. This victory is not just a political success but also a transformative milestone for Sri Lanka, signaling the dawn of a new era. The responsibility now lies with the NPP to fulfill its promises and lead the country towards a prosperous and unified future.
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by (2024-11-16 19:48:43)
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