In the realm of geopolitics, no country can exist in isolation—particularly not an island nation like Sri Lanka, strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean. The attention Sri Lanka receives from global powers, especially neighboring India, is no coincidence. India’s keen interest is driven as much by concern as by regional strategy.
In today’s multipolar world, where the West, India, and the U.S. form one bloc, and countries like China, Russia, and others form another, Sri Lanka has become a geopolitical focal point. The recent shift in political power in Sri Lanka only adds to this complexity.
During the last presidential election, the newly formed National People’s Power (NPP), under the leadership of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), surged to power. In a dramatic turnaround, they won 159 out of 225 seats in parliament and secured the presidency, despite having polled just 3% of the vote a mere six months earlier. Voters ousted the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration amidst economic collapse, turning instead to Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was credited with stabilizing the situation.
However, public discontent with the new government is growing. Citizens are beginning to question whether the promises made while in opposition were genuine or merely campaign rhetoric. Minister K.D. Lalkantha, a key figure in the current administration, recently admitted that governing is fundamentally different from opposing. Once in power, idealism gives way to the realities of governance.
This has led to widespread dissatisfaction, particularly from those who feel betrayed by leaders who once stood with war veterans and now appear to downplay their sacrifices. The new government’s handling of international relations is also under scrutiny, especially in light of an incident involving Russia.
On October 1 of last year, Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan S. Dzhagaryan personally delivered an invitation from President Vladimir Putin to then-president-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake to attend the BRICS Summit. The invitation was declined. The official reason: Dissanayake was busy preparing for the upcoming general election.
When questioned at a recent public forum about when Sri Lanka would officially engage with BRICS, Ambassador Dzhagaryan replied candidly, suggesting that while Russia and China are ready to support Sri Lanka, there has been little indication of enthusiasm or initiative from the Sri Lankan side. He lightly joked about whether the translator conveyed the message properly and urged Sri Lanka to show more practical engagement—not only with BRICS but also with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
This diplomatic tension comes at a time when major global powers like the U.S., China, and India are all vying for influence in Sri Lanka. The lack of transparency surrounding recent agreements signed with India and the unclear stance toward Western and Eastern alliances are feeding public anxiety. Many are unaware of what external pressures are shaping domestic policy decisions.
Meanwhile, controversial issues such as Tamil diaspora activities in Canada, demands for remembrance events for the war dead, and the selection of questionable figures into Parliament have also fueled discontent.
The rejection of Putin’s invitation is not a minor diplomatic incident—it may signal a cooling of longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and Russia, which have deepened in recent years. For a nation looking to maintain balance in its international relations, alienating a key ally like Russia could have consequences, especially as the country continues to recover from economic hardship.
In the public’s eyes, the government’s anti-corruption stance has yet to translate into meaningful action. While promises of justice for economic crimes abound, there has been little follow-through, particularly regarding missing port containers and vehicle import restrictions that have crushed middle-class dreams of owning a car.
The symbolism of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake wearing a double-pocket shirt—similar to Ukraine’s President Zelensky—is noted more for fashion coincidence than any ideological alignment. But as Russian diplomatic frustration grows, it’s clear that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy decisions are being closely watched—and judged—on the global stage.
What remains to be seen is whether the government will begin to align its rhetoric with action, both at home and abroad, before it loses the goodwill it so recently gained.
