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Sri Lanka's 'balancing act' on reform faces new risks

2016; Emerald Publishing Limited; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1108/oxan-db208533

2633-304X

Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography

Subject Prospects for Sri Lanka in 2016. Significance What President Maithripala Sirisena's coalition government describes as a 'balanced' approach to reform, his critics view as diminishing political appetite for change. Such views colour all important policy steps made since Sirisena's election last year, especially in the areas of governance, foreign policy and ethnic relations. The two-year coalition pact expires in January 2017, giving Sirisena a narrowing window of opportunity to win over his critics. Impacts Progress on investigating allegations of large-scale corruption under the previous administration will continue, but slowly. Colombo will attempt a pragmatic foreign policy: one that secures Chinese investments but improves diplomatic ties with India and the West. Rajapaksa and his loyalists, backed by a sizeable Sinhala constituency, are the greatest risk to the reform drive. Sri Lanka's ties with the UN are improving, but could unravel when Colombo shies away from an aggressive push on transitional justice.