Survey reveals growing preference for authoritarianism among Sri Lankans

16 March 2024 04:11 pm - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, March 16 (Daily Mirror) - A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has unearthed concerning trends regarding democratic governance in Sri Lanka.

The survey, titled ‘Survey on Democracy and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka,’ involved 1,350 participants across 25 districts in January, shedding light on shifting attitudes toward authoritarianism and declining trust in democratic institutions.

According to the findings, approximately 1 in 10 Sri Lankans expressed a preference for authoritarian rule, marking a significant increase since 2018.

Despite the majority favoring democratic governance, the survey highlighted a worrying sentiment that "In certain situations, a dictatorial government can be preferable to a democratic one."

The CPA, a prominent policy think-tank based in Colombo, emphasized that the spike in support for authoritarianism coincided with the political upheaval during the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government in 2018.

This trend suggests a susceptibility to embracing authoritarian rule amid dissatisfaction with democratic governance.

Furthermore, the survey exposed a sharp decline in public trust toward parliamentary institutions and political parties.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 26

Asanga Saturday, 16 March 2024 04:37 PM

So 3% has become 10%

das Saturday, 16 March 2024 04:38 PM

What intellectual midgets our people are. Before the latest fiasco, many were wanting a military government. I personally blame the current leader for constantly appearing weak creating the impression that democratic governance lacked the muscle to deal with the most routine issues.

FredSnR Saturday, 16 March 2024 04:39 PM

There is no democratic rule in SL we lost that long ago..We have elections yes one man one vote but democratic institutions have been eroded.And globally there is a move to centralize with big tech eroding what few liberties are left How independent are these surveys?

Exact Figures in Next Elections Saturday, 16 March 2024 04:56 PM

You’ll get the exact figures in the next elections. No point speculating now as majority wants younger, vibrant parliamentarians and not the old fella’s who have ruined the country.

Jayantha Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:00 PM

It is because people feel that most of the institution are misusing the democracy. For example look at the time it takea to solve simple matters like rental cases. Still lower courts drags cases. People are loosing faith not only in politicians but also major institution like police and courts too. Also look at the traffic fine system. We are in 2024 but still no method to pay instantly and get back the license.Also still rmv has failed to print 800000 DL. When ever you ask that head he says some deadline but he never finishes it. So it looks like that same quantity still not printed. So if the country had a dicator like leader, this latter print issue may have got solved within a month or so. Giving too much freedom to government sector staff has ruined the country.

Trehan Munasinghe Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:14 PM

"Furthermore, the survey exposed a sharp decline in public trust toward parliamentary institutions and political parties." No kidding right , ha ha ha ha.....obviously! We had 76 yrs of this madness, no doubt some segments of society would prefer an alternative, that doesn't necessarily mean that people prefer a 'Hitler 'just that they are fed up with what is available, past, present and future from Sri Lankan politics.

Troy Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:32 PM

People are sick of the unions of SL where they go on strike over absolutely trivial

Bring back Gota Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:35 PM

True bring back Gota without Basil, MR

Dain Martin Monday, 18 March 2024 08:36 AM

You must be joking, if we even wanted such a horror in what universe would that be possible- get him, u get the whole family- in govt or not they r still crippling the economy of this country.

Bushel Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:48 PM

Is this to say NPP is favoured?

Aviator Saturday, 16 March 2024 06:56 PM

What a survey! 1350 participants out of 21 million people. Convert that to a percentage. Wonder whose brains worked to conduct such a survey with such an insignificant participation. The problem SL faces is not democracy but how democracy has been grossly misused and mishandled. In such an extremely corrupt system, democracy simply doesn't work the way it should. These factors should be addressed before jumping into pointless conclusions. What SL needs is a radical system change.

Gayan Saturday, 16 March 2024 08:50 PM

Is it just a coincidence that CPA published it when RW is currently in power and an election is around the corner?

Gayan Saturday, 16 March 2024 08:50 PM

Is it just a coincidence that CPA published it when RW is currently in power and an election is around the corner?

Gayan Saturday, 16 March 2024 08:50 PM

Is it just a coincidence that CPA published it when RW is currently in power and an election is around the corner?

Gayan Saturday, 16 March 2024 08:50 PM

Is it just a coincidence that CPA published it when RW is currently in power and an election is around the corner?

The Analyst Saturday, 16 March 2024 10:42 PM

This perfectly illustrates the failure of the democratic process in Sri Lanka. It also gives credence that the democratic ideals of the West does not work for a country like Sri Lanka where mindset of the public (of any race or religion) exemplifies the need for a semi autocratic/ semi authoritarian governance process is a truly justifiable and a practical ideology resting on the traditions and the historical conditions of the country. It is important to accept this. Not communism or dictatorship but rather a semi authoritarian form of governance to put right the discipline and rule based systems in the country.

M Fernando Sunday, 17 March 2024 05:30 AM

How can people have trust in Sri Lanka's flavour of democracy since all it has given us is corrupt rulers and a shambles of an economy ?

Man Sunday, 17 March 2024 06:03 AM

Then why no local government elections held?

There is less democracy than before Sunday, 17 March 2024 08:24 AM

There are many of the SLPP and UNP who hate the Aragalaya for the first getting rid of Gota, that's the mad SLPPers, and then those tiny minority of population who are Ranil supporters fear Ranil will get kicked out. It is just those bad minded persons who are mostly for authoritarianism to keep the status quo.

Cheers Sunday, 17 March 2024 10:02 AM

Aragalayata sapada

Grace Sunday, 17 March 2024 10:14 AM

Already elderly people have started talking about the quality of living during British rule.

Dinesh Sunday, 17 March 2024 11:08 AM

what to do...when stupidity reigns that is the outcome...obviously people have lost faith in the institutions as they have been corrupted by politicians and officials....but as usual voters finding the wrong way to go about fixing the issue, we all remember the last time we had a superman president and what happened ???

Pusa Sunday, 17 March 2024 01:34 PM

Simply put, Sri Lankans are stupid!

G dias Sunday, 17 March 2024 11:21 PM

Aviator should study random sampling (probably stratified sampling in this case) techniques where a sample of around 1200 is sufficient to achieve an error of 2 to 3 percent. Gallup uses a sample of about 1300 in USA.

ManOman Monday, 18 March 2024 02:08 AM

Come on the 6.9 million of last Presidential election have already shown it and then what is this meaningless survey?

navratne willamune Monday, 18 March 2024 09:14 AM

70 years of democracy have done no good, only divisions among citizens,getting elected is a means to feather their nest not to serve the country.it also serves the west to manipulate the syste. benovalent dictator is needed

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Survey reveals growing preference for authoritarianism among Sri Lankans

Comments - 26

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Supreme Court rules Diana Gamage ineligible for parliamentary seat

“Ranil Ralla” : Will Wickremesinghe ride on a winning wave?

Sri Lanka face unusual dilemma

AstraZeneca admits for first time its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

Racism, body-shaming fly high with Air Belgium crew against SriLankan staff

Sri Lanka now has highest visa costs in Asia: Tourism stakeholders

MIRROR CRICKET

India’s Amul to sponsor Sri Lanka team for T20 World Cup

Shakib threatens to beat up fan over clicking selfie

BCCI breaks silence after Trinidad PM reveals terror threat to T20 World Cup, report says it’s from ISIS

Sri Lanka, Scotland gear up for big final that decides Women’s T20 World Cup groups

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Body of youth who went missing while visiting girlfriend found

Exclude Health Ministry from drug procurement to curb corruption: GMOF urges Govt.

Woman arrested with heroin valued at more than Rs.10 million

Shavendra advises Sri Lankan veterans to avoid mercenary service abroad

India’s Amul to sponsor Sri Lanka team for T20 World Cup

Shakib threatens to beat up fan over clicking selfie

BCCI breaks silence after Trinidad PM reveals terror threat to T20 World Cup, report says it’s from ISIS

Sri Lanka, Scotland gear up for big final that decides Women’s T20 World Cup groups