The end of Socialism in Sri Lanka

Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the pallbearer at the funeral of Socialism in Sri Lanka. In the coffin lay the Communist Party, LSSP, NLSSP, MEP — and the JVP itself.

Socialism took its last breath when AKD, a lifelong leftist, admitted that “the government cannot do business.” Coming from him, it was nothing short of a confession — a final acknowledgement that the socialist dogma which crippled Sri Lanka for decades has run its course.

For years, the left’s outdated ideals strangled economic growth through strikes, disruptions and, at times, violent extremism. Their ideology promised equality but delivered bankruptcy.

With this statement, AKD has unwittingly aligned himself with J.R. Jayewardene’s open-economy vision — marking the most significant policy turnaround in decades. For the first time, all major political forces appear to agree on one fundamental truth: the private sector must lead, and the state must step back.

This new ideological convergence is a watershed moment. It restores confidence among investors, both local and foreign, and sets the stage for uninterrupted, full-throttle development.

Sri Lanka may finally be ready to bury the ghosts of failed socialism and move forward, united under the banner of pragmatic economic reform.

Upali Weerasinghe