Public sentiment towards the Sri Lankan government has taken a nosedive, with the latest ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll by Verité Research revealing a dramatic drop in approval ratings. The survey, conducted between October 21 and 29, found that only 9% of respondents expressed approval of the government’s performance, a significant decline from the 21% approval rating recorded in June 2023.
This marks a near return to the low approval ratings seen in January, October 2022, and February 2023.
The survey also paints a bleak picture of the national mood, with satisfaction levels mirroring the decline in government approval. Just 6% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the current state of affairs in Sri Lanka, a drastic drop from 12% in June. This dissatisfaction extends to the economy, with the economic confidence score plummeting from negative (-) 44 in June to negative (-) 62 in October.
The Mood of the Nation survey, conducted three times annually, is based on an island-wide representative sample of 1,029 Sri Lankan adults. The survey methodology is designed to ensure a maximum error margin of under 3% at a 95% confidence level.
The sharp decline in government approval and the overall negative sentiment reflect the deep-seated concerns of Sri Lankan citizens regarding the country’s economic and political trajectory. The government faces an uphill battle to regain public trust and address the pressing issues that have eroded public confidence.