Outlook is bright for key leftist leader in Sri Lanka

Significance

According to the constitution, the poll must take place in September-October. The JVP was formed as a Marxist-Leninist party. Recent opinion polling suggests Dissanayake would be a strong presidential contender.

Impacts

• The JVP will continue to evolve in a way that makes it more a centre-left than a far-left party in practice.
• Any indication of attempts by the government to delay the election would cause widespread discontent.
• Dissanayake’s popularity among the ethnic Sinhalese Sri Lankan diaspora may be a significant factor in determining the poll outcome.