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Thousands Rally Near Colombo in First Major Test of President Dissanayake’s Year in Office

Thousands rallied near Colombo in the largest opposition protest since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office a year ago, calling for promised tax relief and better public security. Opposition leaders accused the government of politicizing law enforcement and failing to curb rising crime, while officials pointed to violence tied to rival drug gangs. The demonstration comes as Sri Lanka continues recovery efforts from the 2022 economic collapse and an IMF-supported bailout.

10:43 PM, 11/21/2025Politics
Thousands Rally Near Colombo in First Major Test of President Dissanayake’s Year in Office

Thousands of opposition supporters gathered near Sri Lanka’s capital on Friday to demand that the government deliver on promises to cut taxes and restore public safety. The demonstration — the largest coordinated protest since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office a year ago — reflected growing frustration over economic and security concerns.

Opposition leaders accused the administration of failing to implement campaign pledges and of politicizing law enforcement to silence critics. They said crime has surged in recent months and that everyday safety for citizens has eroded. The government disputes claims of a widespread security collapse, acknowledging a spike in violence linked to rival drug gangs but insisting the public is not facing an unusually elevated risk.

Dissanayake’s win last year was widely viewed as a rejection of the old political order after Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic collapse in 2022, which followed decades of mismanagement and corruption. The crisis triggered acute shortages and mass protests that forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from office. Sri Lanka declared a form of insolvency in April 2022 with more than $83 billion in debt; in 2023 the country secured a $2.9 billion IMF package and has since pursued debt restructuring.

Namal Rajapaksa, a leading opposition voice and member of the once-dominant Rajapaksa family, told the crowd the government has not delivered on promises to ease the public’s financial burden. “We are gathered here today to urge the government to deliver what they promised,” he said. “They promised a lot, but they haven’t delivered anything. You can see how the frustration of the people are building up.”

The Dissanayake administration has implemented some relief measures — including cuts to electricity bills — but critics say income taxes for professionals and businesses remain high and public dissatisfaction over tax levels persists. At the same time, the government has moved to trim state expenses, abolishing several privileges once afforded to former presidents such as housing, pensions, transport and official staff.

The administration has also launched investigations into alleged corruption by former officials. Authorities arrested former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on allegations of misusing public funds; he was later released on bail. Dozens of other former officials are reportedly under probe. Officials say they are also intensifying efforts to break up criminal gangs linked to recent violence.

Opposition parties, bruised by losses in recent presidential and parliamentary contests, view the rally as part of a broader effort to regroup and rebuild political strength as Dissanayake’s first year in office concludes.

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