-By Political Affairs Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -14.Feb.2025, 8.15 PM) For months leading up to the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election, the so-called Colombo 7 elite and a handful of “experts” peddled a single narrative: Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP are incapable of fostering international partnerships. They insisted that the world would turn its back on Sri Lanka if an NPP government took power. Business leaders, political analysts, and even some former heads of state confidently declared that an NPP-led Sri Lanka would struggle diplomatically and economically.
Fast-forward to February 2025, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has not only shattered those dire predictions but is proving to be one of the most dynamic global statesmen Sri Lanka has seen in decades. His recent trip to the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai solidified his standing on the world stage, and the sheer number of high-profile figures eager to meet him speaks volumes about his growing influence.
It is reported that over 150 business leaders and diplomats sought a meeting with President Anura at the Dubai summit. The President’s Office, due to time constraints, had to be highly selective. However, even within this tight schedule, he managed to hold crucial discussions with international heavyweights, including three-time British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Compare this to former Sri Lankan leaders, who either struggled to gain such attention or were only welcomed by a handful of world leaders out of diplomatic courtesy. The stark contrast between past and present leadership was especially evident in Dubai.
Let’s not forget that prior to his election, the Sri Lankan Chamber of Commerce and several elite commentators confidently declared that an NPP government would spell doom for foreign investment. They insisted that the business world would shun Sri Lanka if Anura Kumara took office.
And yet, what do we see now?
International investors are showing increased confidence in Sri Lanka. Anura’s leadership style—characterized by transparency, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to national progress—has reassured both investors and diplomats alike. While previous administrations indulged in corruption and personal gain, Anura is proving to be a leader with credibility, honesty, and simplicity.
His diplomatic successes are not just limited to Dubai. In his first few months in office, Anura has already built strong relationships with both New Delhi and Beijing, two of Sri Lanka’s most crucial international partners. This balancing act—maintaining good relations with regional superpowers while also strengthening ties with the West—is something his predecessors failed to do effectively.
While Anura Kumara was making waves in Dubai, ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe was facing a completely different kind of international attention. In London, he struggled through a brutal “Head-to-Head” interview with Al Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan. It was a classic case of a leader being held accountable for years of economic mismanagement, corruption, and human rights controversies.
This comparison between the old guard and the new leadership of Sri Lanka is telling. While Ranil and his predecessors—Mahinda Rajapaksa, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Maithripala Sirisena—lived off taxpayers’ money and spent their tenures securing personal benefits, Anura Kumara is working tirelessly to bring in investment and build a credible future for the country.
At the World Government Summit, Anura delivered a powerful keynote speech that was met with widespread praise. Unlike the scripted, generic speeches of past leaders, Anura’s address was detailed, well-researched, and focused on real solutions. World leaders and economic experts took note—this was a president who meant business.
The result? Renewed investor confidence.
Anura is demonstrating that Sri Lanka is not just another struggling economy but a country ready to take off under principled leadership. The international message is now clear: Sri Lanka, under President Anura, is a place where investments can be made with confidence, free from the usual corruption and inefficiency that plagued past administrations.
For decades, Sri Lankan elites painted a picture that international diplomacy was an exclusive club—one that only certain “established” political figures could navigate. They scoffed at the idea of an NPP government being taken seriously by global leaders.
Yet, today, those same elites are watching in stunned silence as Anura Kumara Dissanayake builds global partnerships with ease.
The difference?
Unlike past leaders, Anura is not in this for personal gain. He is not demanding luxury perks or extravagant foreign trips. He is focused on one thing: rebuilding Sri Lanka with credibility, honesty, and a vision for the future.
And the world is taking notice.
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by (2025-02-14 14:56:33)
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