The National People’s Power (NPP), also known as Jathika Jana Balawegaya, is a political alliance comprising the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and some trade unions and civil groups. Founded in 2019, the NPP emerged as a coalition aiming to offer an alternative to the traditional political establishment. The party’s rise to prominence was fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s previous governments, especially after the 2022 mass street (Aragalaya) protests. The NPP, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, achieved electoral victory in the 2024 presidential elections, securing 42% of the vote, and in parliamentary elections, securing 61% of the vote and 159 out of 225 seats.
This briefing paper provides an overview of the NPP’s policy positions and to evaluate the trajectory of key developments under the NPP’s leadership, particularly focusing on how these developments align with or diverge from their previously stated objectives. The analysis draws from a range of sources, including statements made by NPP members during the campaign phase, their official manifesto, and public remarks made when previous governments were in power. It also considers recent developments and policy shifts reported in mainstream media outlets, both broadcast and print. This allows for an understanding of the NPP’s evolving policy stances and provides insights into the directions in which the government is steering key national issues.
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