Colombo
Beyond Ethnic Politics
The victory of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) party in the 2024 elections, breaking the decades-old dominance of ethnic parties in Tamil-majority areas, represents a watershed moment in Sri Lankan politics.
The November 14 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections marked a historic and tectonic political shift in the island nation. For the first time in over seven decades, the minority Tamils of Sri Lanka broke away from their traditional allegiance to ethnic Tamil parties and overwhelmingly supported the left-wing, all-island National Peoples’ Power (NPP) party. The NPP’s sweeping success in both Sinhala-majority regions and Tamil- and Muslim-dominated areas represents a turning point in Sri Lankan politics, as voters prioritized promises of good governance and development over ethnic nationalism.
While political analysts anticipated the NPP’s dominance of Sinhala-majority areas, its breakthrough in Tamil and Muslim-majority Northern and Eastern provinces came as a major surprise. Historically perceived as a Sinhala nationalist party, the NPP’s remarkable performance in Tamil regions defied expectations and broke long-standing political norms.
The Tamil population, which had traditionally rallied behind ethnic parties like the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), shifted their support to the NPP. The left-wing party eclipsed ITAK and other Tamil political organizations, such as the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), to become the top choice in many Northern and Eastern electorates. In Jaffna, a traditional stronghold of ITAK, the NPP emerged as the leading party with 41.46% of the vote, while ITAK secured only 11.81%. Similarly, in Point Pedro, Nallur, and Vaddukoddai, the NPP outperformed ITAK by significant margins.
This shift was not limited to Tamil areas; in Trincomalee District, a mixed-ethnic region in the Eastern Province, the NPP secured 56% of the vote in Seruvila and 40% in Trincomalee town, further demonstrating its cross-ethnic appeal.
The NPP’s success can largely be attributed to a growing disenchantment with ethnic politics and a pressing demand for good governance. For decades, Tamil political parties had campaigned on issues like provincial autonomy, full implementation of the 13th Amendment, and accountability for alleged wartime atrocities. However, these demands seemed increasingly disconnected from the immediate concerns of the Tamil electorate, who were grappling with economic hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.
The NPP’s election campaign focused on promises of clean governance, development, and people-oriented policies, resonating deeply with voters across ethnic lines. Even though the party’s manifesto did not address traditional Tamil demands such as devolution of power or accountability for war crimes, the electorate prioritized the NPP’s pledge to address broader governance issues through a new constitution.
Despite its origins as a Sinhala nationalist party, the NPP managed to secure significant victories in Tamil-dominated areas, where it had previously been a complete outsider. In the Jaffna District, the party claimed the highest percentage of votes in multiple constituencies, including Vaddukoddai (21.5%), Manipay (30.94%), and Koppai (29.86%). Even in ITAK President S. Sritharan’s stronghold of Kilinochchi, the NPP emerged as the second most popular party with 16.39% of the vote.
In the Eastern Province, the NPP performed exceptionally well in Batticaloa town, securing 27.11% of the vote and surpassing the ITAK and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). The party also dominated Amparai town, Sammanthurai, and Kalmunai in the Digamadulla District.
The NPP’s decision to field Tamil candidates in areas with a significant Tamil population further bolstered its success. In Jaffna, three NPP Tamil candidates won parliamentary seats, outshining the ITAK and the ACTC, which secured only one seat each. Similarly, in Nuwara Eliya, Krishnan Kalaiselvi of the NPP emerged victorious, and in Matara, a predominantly Sinhala area in the South, the NPP’s Tamil candidate, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, also secured a seat.
Yet, Tamil voters placed their trust in the NPP, signaling a shift away from ethnic nationalism. Tamil parties’ campaign rhetoric, which focused on traditional demands such as federalism and military land occupation, failed to resonate with an electorate more concerned about economic recovery, job creation, and corruption-free governance.
Ahilan Kadirgamar, a professor at the University of Jaffna, observed that the NPP’s Sinhala nationalist roots could paradoxically enable it to take bold steps toward ethnic reconciliation without being accused of betraying Sinhala interests. This unique position presents an opportunity for the NPP to address longstanding Tamil grievances within the framework of Sri Lanka’s constitution.
Despite its electoral success, the NPP faces significant challenges in fulfilling its promises. Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, compounded by high foreign debt and reliance on external aid, limits the government’s ability to implement ambitious development programs. Addressing the concerns of Tamil and Muslim communities while maintaining the trust of its Sinhala base will also require careful political maneuvering.
Kadirgamar suggests that lands released from military occupation could be developed through cooperative, village-level initiatives in the Northern Province. Such “bottom-up” development could empower local communities and address economic disparities more effectively than centralized, “top-down” approaches.
The NPP’s victory in the November 14 elections represents a watershed moment in Sri Lankan politics. By breaking the decades-old dominance of ethnic parties in Tamil-majority areas, the NPP has ushered in a new era of cross-ethnic political engagement. Its success underscores the electorate’s growing demand for governance that transcends ethnic divisions and prioritizes economic recovery and development.
While challenges remain, the NPP’s ability to bridge Sri Lanka’s ethnic divides and deliver on its promises will determine its long-term success. For now, the party has an unprecedented opportunity to reshape Sri Lanka’s political landscape and foster a more inclusive and people-centric governance model.
Based in Islamabad, the writer has done his Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies. He can be reached at daniyaltalat2013@gmail.com
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