January 6, 2025 – January 19, 2025 | Vol.15, #02 & 03
Event: On January 3, 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked the milestone of completing the first 100 days of his presidency.[1][2][3] On the same day, the president’s media division released a video through social media titled ‘A hundred days for a hundred years’ highlighting key appointments and discussions held during this period.[4][5]
Over the past two weeks, as part of the 100-day review, media coverage has focused on several key events in its analysis of the government’s ongoing actions, including the following:
On January 8, 2025, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe stated in parliament that the current red rice shortage emerged as a result of former president Ranil Wickremesinghe’s pre-election initiative, which indiscriminately distributed 20 kilograms of red rice per family.[6][7][8]
On January 14, 2025, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena announced in a statement that the Clean Sri Lanka initiative would formally commence only on February 1, 2025. He explained that January is the period to raise public awareness about the initiative.[9][10]
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Key insights
- At the 100-day milestone of President AKD’s tenure, the media subjected the government to an evaluation of its performance.
- The volume of criticism increased from the past, though driven mainly by select private media.
- The more general discontent expressed in social media as well was around the lack of clarity in the government’s plans for the promised “system change” and the appearance of not being on a sure footing.
- Public scepticism towards China was less in sentiments around the president’s visit to China.
- What appeared to be “organised” criticism of the president, on superficial aspects, faced organic resistance in social media.
Analysis
Following President Dissanayake’s 100-day milestone (of being president), the Sinhala media – including print, television and social media – closely examined his performance and that of the NPP government. The main criticisms of the government were largely led by the private TV channels Hiru and Derana.
We also analysed social media commentary using data from Junkipedia, a social media monitoring tool. It showed that social media also echoed private media criticism, amid supportive views of the government.[1]
A closer analysis of the media discourse on the 100-day milestone of the president and the overall performance of the government illuminates three key insights:
(i) on discourse critical of the government’s performance: an increase in volume
Over the past two weeks, the media discourse critical of the government has intensified, with media outlets such as Hiru increasingly highlighting discontent over the government’s actions.
The Clean Sri Lanka initiative – which initially seemed to have received widespread approval – is now facing significant criticism in the media, citing unclear implementation and lack of transparency.[2] Critics argue that the initiative deviates from more pressing public issues and unfairly targets lower income constituencies such as street vendors, three-wheeler drivers and bus operators. It is also alleged to be short on clear guidelines, well-defined objectives and an effective implementation strategy.
(ii) on the delivery of electoral promises: government still finding its footing
Critical voices cast doubts on the NPP government’s competence in the delivery of its electoral promises, portraying it as a government still in its infancy and finding its footing.
This perception is fuelled by its handling of the rice shortage, which has drawn widespread criticism for failing to deliver on a key election promise. For instance, opposition voices such as SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilleka recalled President Dissanayake’s campaign pledge to dismantle the rice ‘mafia’ ‘within 24 hours with a single stroke of the pen’ and provide immediate relief (refer to this week’s memes) – a promise that has not materialised.[3]
(iii) on government policy: a lack of clear direction on significant system change
Over the past two weeks, Sinhala media coverage highlighted growing concern over the lack of clarity and direction surrounding the NPP government’s promise of a significant system change.[4]
Opposition voices, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and member of the People’s Struggle Alliance Pubudu Jagoda criticised the NPP government for continuing previous president Wickremesinghe’s path – particularly on economic recovery and the IMF agreement – despite campaigning for a mandate for significant change.
Meanwhile, social media commentary revealed that although the public does not expect immediate results, there is a strong demand for clear communication and concrete plans for achieving significant system change.
[1] The MPA team monitored Facebook profiles, TikTok handles and YouTube channels using Junkipedia for the keywords Clean Sri Lanka, NPP, promises, media suppression, programme and vehicles. The monitoring period was January 6 to 17, 2025.
[2] See MPA Vol.15, #01.
[3] See https://fb.watch/xf7IHpH43-/.
[4] See TMA Vol.14, #36 and Vol.14, #39.
To view this week’s news summaries, please click here
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