In Sri Lanka, years ending in 5 have often been marked by extraordinary political events.
Following independence in 1948, 1955 was the first such year, and it became a turning point in the country’s political landscape. Notably, 1955 was the final year in office for Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala, who had assumed leadership after the 1953 ‘Hartal.’
By 1955, a significant wave of Sinhala Buddhist sentiment had risen against Sir John. Interestingly, the United National Party led by Sir John’s former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake, supported this growing Sinhala Buddhist movement. However, the year proved to be one of the most challenging for Sir John.
Opposition came from multiple fronts: S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the opposition; leftist leaders such as N.M. Perera, Colvin R. de Silva, Dr. Wickremesinghe; and even Dudley’s UNP. These combined forces mounted pressure on Sir John from all sides.
In 1956, Sir John contested the general election under immense strain but faced a significant defeat, which ultimately led to his departure from politics and the country.
Next comes 1965. In 1964, the UNP, which was in opposition to the Bandaranaike government, brought down the coalition government of the Bandaranaike and NM. The 1965 general election came as a result. Dudley’s UNP won the general election. But Prime Minister Bandaranaike said she could not step down. She said Dudley did not have a majority. At that time, there was a Governor-General’s post. The Lady had appointed her uncle, William Gopallawa, as the Governor-General. When the Lady said she could not go, the UNP surrounded the Temple Trees with a large crowd. The Lady also asked the SLFP and the Left to bring people. Angry William Gopallawa asked his niece, the Lady, to step down immediately. It was amidst such turmoil that Dudley became Prime Minister in 1965.
Next comes 1975. In 1975, the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Bandaranaike, forcibly got her term extended by two years. In protest against this, the opposition leader, J.R., resigned from the Colombo South constituency, which he represented. He challenges the Prime Minister to hold a by-election. The Prime Minister accepts the challenge. Everyone thought that J.R. would lose and that J.R.’s politics would end there. But J.R. knew that the government was being shaken, and in 1975, Prime Minister Mrs. Bandaranaike removed the main stakeholders of the government, N.M. and Colvin, from their ministerial posts. From there, the government’s downfall begins. Her government began to fall in 1975.
in 1985 when the JVP gathered the minimum requirements for an underground armed movement against J.R.’s government. The JVP received weapons training in the jungle around 1985, while Tamil armed groups in the north of Colombo were detonating bombs. 1986: Colombo University Student Union leader Daya Pathirana was killed after organizing armed politics in 1985. 1985 is a year that has shaken the heads of both J.R. and the UNP.
1995 was the year Chandrika took office as President ousting the UNP government after 17 years. The first year of her government began in 1995. It was not easy. Work stoppages were everywhere. The crisis emerged within the government. She was unable to fulfil any of the promises she made.
2005 was the year that Chandrika’s politics ended. By 2005, her SLFP-led People’s Front had formed a government with the JVP. In 2005, the JVP withdrew from the government. Chandrika was left helpless. She planned to postpone the presidential election to 2006. But she was unable to do so. At that time, the opposition leader Ranil came to Colombo from the south with a large crowd in a procession. Her close ministers within the government joined forces with Prime Minister Mahinda against her and told Chandrika to retire now.
Mahinda won the presidential election held in 2005. A new leader was appointed to the country. It was in 2005 that Foreign Minister Kadirgamar was assassinated and the country became fearful. Mahinda becoming president was something no one expected. The JVP made him president. 2005 was a year that turned the country upside down.
2015 was an even more magnificent year. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was believed to be unstoppable by anyone, was defeated by his party secretary Maithripala in 2015. No one thought that a politician like Mahinda, who won the war, would be defeated. The collapse of Mahinda’s government, which began in December 2014, turned into a disaster in January 2015. Ranil unimaginably defeated Mahinda in the 2015 general election. By 2014, the UNP was waging a rebellion to send Ranil home. In 2015, Ranil became the Prime Minister through a popular vote. The Rajapaksa family went to jail in 2015. 2015 was a year that turned the politics of this country upside down.
Pre-independence, 1935 was a year that changed the political history of Sri Lanka. The Lanka Sama Samaja Party was established in 1935. The first left-wing party established in Sri Lanka was the Lanka Sama Samaja Party. The LSSP was formed by Leslie Gunawardena, N.M. Perera, Colvin R. de Silva, Philip Gunawardena, and Robert Gunawardena. This made 1935 a historic year for the left-wing movement in Sri Lanka. Exactly 90 years later, a left-wing government has been formed in Sri Lanka. When you look at it that way, there is a big correlation between 1935 and 2025. The left that started in 1935 has dissolved today. Whether the left-wing government formed in 2024 will go to the left or the right will be decided in 2025.
1935 and 1945 are unforgettable years. 1945 was the year when former Education Minister C.W.W. Kannangara implemented the free education policy. 2025, which ends on 05, will be a good year for Anura Kumara to implement new policies.
1935 The beginning of the leftist movement. 1945 The beginning of free education. 1955 The collapse of the Brahmin caste. (The fall of Sir John and the UNP). In 1965 the fall of a popular government. 1975 The fall of the Bandaranaike. 2005 The rise of the Rajapaksas. 2015 The fall of the Rajapaksas.
Then 2025…?
