Do we really need the opposition to protest right now?

Dear Opposition, 

The opposition has announced a major rally on November 21, as a first warning to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, demanding that he fulfills the election pledges made to the nation. They say the protest is also to oppose any attempts to suppress opposition parties. While such demonstrations allow the opposition to stay relevant and heard, the question we must all ask is — is this really the right time?

We are all still very much living through the aftershocks of the 2021/2022 political and economic crisis. That period pushed Sri Lanka to the brink, forcing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign over severe mismanagement that devastated the economy. Although his departure may have been necessary, the political instability that followed continues to influence how the world views our country. Investors remain cautious. Tourism is recovering, but at a painfully slow pace — a pace too slow for a nation desperately trying to rebuild.

Unnecessary protests at this sensitive moment send mixed and damaging signals to the international community. We carry strong memories of the Aragalaya: blocked roads, abandoned businesses, and uncertainty spreading every single day. Although that movement had purpose, repeating constant street activism now risks making the world believe we are still trapped in chaos. Instead, we need to step back from the streets — at least for now — and allow the NPP government the space to prove that the people’s choice in 2024 was not misplaced.

This government inherited a country battered by decades of corruption, bureaucracy, discrimination, and weak leadership. These deep-rooted problems prevented us from developing to our true potential. In fact, if we look at the past few decades, the only truly significant national achievement we can point to is ending the 30-year brutal conflict in 2009 — a conflict that left tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers dead, and entire communities torn apart. The war, fueled by a ruthless separatist agenda that even forced children into combat, stole generations of peace from our people.

But after the war, what did we accomplish? Our FDIs have remained weak. Our road connectivity is still poor despite countless promises. The cost of living has soared while incomes remain stagnant. Tourism has plateaued at around two million visitors per year — far below our potential. And in the past few years, we have watched thousands of skilled Sri Lankans migrate, searching for better opportunities abroad. This is not progress — this is survival.

It is no surprise then that the NPP swept the 2024 elections with a historic two-thirds majority. It was a clear message from the people: enough is enough. The voters demanded an end to corruption across all sectors. They demanded accountability, fairness, and a new direction. For many, the NPP became that fresh hope.

Now, just over a year later, while several pledges remain unfulfilled and progress is slower than expected, we cannot ignore the fact that systemic changes take time. Rebuilding a country broken over decades is not an overnight task. So does this delay justify opposition parties crowding the streets and causing further instability?

History shows us that protests, especially those influenced or led by parties familiar with political agitation, can severely damage confidence in key sectors like tourism and foreign investment. The business community becomes uneasy. The international media, always quick to sensationalise, portrays Sri Lanka as a nation in constant turmoil — starving, chaotic, unsafe. That narrative hurts us more than anything.

Is that the picture we want the world to see again?

The opposition must understand that protests do not punish the government — they punish the ordinary citizen. They disrupt livelihoods, transport, daily income, and national morale. Meanwhile, politicians leading these protests return to air-conditioned offices while the common man faces the consequences. Some of these protests are even driven by vested interests — both local and foreign — who prefer to see Sri Lanka weak rather than thriving.

Of course, protests are a vital part of democracy — but they must be timely, necessary, and responsible. Right now, stability must come first. The people deserve a chance to breathe, to rebuild, and to hope again. Let us strengthen the country before we return to loud political battles.

To the opposition: rethink your decision. You have Parliament to voice concerns. The media will highlight your criticisms. There are democratic tools available that do not involve crippling the streets or damaging our reputation globally.

Sri Lanka has suffered enough. Do not act in self-interest at the cost of a nation struggling to rise.

Be patient. Be responsible. And above all — be wise.

Your’s Truly,

Jamila Husain 

Editor - In Chief