Maithripala Sirisena defeated the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The election was significant for many reasons : –
• Rajapaksa sought a third term by amending the Constitution of Sri Lanka – that incumbent president could contest any number of times. And he lost.
• The election took place two years earlier than the actual schedule.
• 2015 election was the second presidential election after the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The military defeat of the LTTE did not work in Rajapaksa’s favour in this election. The minority community – Muslims, Tamil votes played a decisive role in defeating Rajapaksa.
• The reasons of Rajapaksa’s defeat were growing inflation, lack of economic opportunities , corruption and resentment of rural population against foreign companies involved in the agricultural sector. China’s increased involvement was also an issue brought in front by Sirisena. Increasing militarisation in Northern Province and slow progress in rebuilding war torn areas and failure in offering a concrete political solution worked against Rajapaksa.
How will India- Sri Lanka relations shape up now ?
• Sirisena has promised to evolve a more balanced approach in SL’s relations with both China and India. India should note that SL will not discard its relation with China. However the excessive tilt towards China by Rajapaksa will be addressed by the new President and he has suggested India should take advantage of the new position. The new Foreign minister of SL’s first visit being India and the first foreign visit of Sirisena is also going to be that to India. This gesture itself speaks volumes. An early visit to Colombo by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as part of India’s “neighbourhood first” diplomacy could indeed be the first step towards that exploration.
• Cooperation is likely to continue in areas of development assistance, economic and security cooperation. India is hopeful that SL will consider having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement ( CEPA ). India has a Free Trade Agreement ( FTA ) with SL right now. Given the potential of maritime security in Indina Ocean region, India – SL should revisit the defence cooperation pact of 2003.
• India and Sri Lanka bilateral relations will depend on whether the new government will consider India’s concerns about the reconciliation process with Tamil minorities. The implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka is an option that can devolve powers to the provinces.
• There is also the question of fishermen issue and both the countries need to find a permanent solution involving the fishermen on both sides.
The new government in Colombo and a stronger political dispensation in India have the opportunity to restart the relation with a renewed vigour.
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