2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election: A Green Revolution or Empty Promises?

The 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election has placed the nation’s environmental policies and climate resilience at the forefront, with leading candidates presenting contrasting visions for addressing climate change. While Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake each focus on sustainable development, their approaches to the climate crisis diverge in both scope and strategy.

Ranil Wickremesinghe: A Green Economy for the Future

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s manifesto outlines a proactive stance on climate change, emphasizing disaster-resilient cities, green energy, and biodiversity conservation. His vision is clear: to turn the challenges of global warming into economic opportunities for Sri Lanka. Wickremesinghe proposes the establishment of a Climate Change Secretariat and Climate Change Fund, which will help mitigate the country’s climate risks. Moreover, his government has positioned Sri Lanka as a key player in international climate efforts, including participation in the Global Financing Pact and the Global Blended Financial Alliance.

Under his leadership, Sri Lanka aims to reach 70% renewable energy by 2030, further solidifying its commitment to becoming a Green Energy Hub in South Asia. Wickremesinghe’s approach leans on leveraging international collaborations, such as the Climate Justice Forum and International Climate Change University, which positions Sri Lanka at the forefront of the global climate agenda. Read the manifestos in English here

Sajith Premadasa: Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, representing the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya (SJS), aligns his climate policies closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His manifesto places heavy emphasis on updating the National Environmental Act and adopting eco-friendly energy solutions. Premadasa also advocates for renewable energy sources like solar, wind, wave energy, and green hydrogen, while promoting science-based solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, a significant issue in rural areas.

Premadasa’s approach reflects a balance between development and environmental protection, prioritizing the Paris Agreement’s global warming targets. His pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels is complemented by his support for community-driven conservation efforts, especially regarding Sri Lanka’s wildlife. Read the manifestos in English here

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: A Radical Shift for Environmental Justice

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (NPP), presents the most transformative environmental agenda. His vision for an evergreen Sri Lanka is built on the principle of environmental justice and fairness, advocating for sustainable resource use and ecosystem-based approaches. Unlike his counterparts, Dissanayake emphasizes the polluter pays principle, aiming to hold corporations accountable for environmental degradation.

His manifesto prioritizes proper land-use planning, comprehensive water resource management, and the cessation of pollutants entering marine and coastal zones. The NPP proposes stringent legal reforms and better institutional coordination to ensure that environmental policies are enforced, addressing gaps in the existing system. Watch his Environmental policy in Sinhala here

Dissanayake’s plan is deeply rooted in community participation, promoting agroforestry, early warning systems for natural disasters, and public consultation in feasibility studies for development projects. He also advocates for strict control over human-wildlife interactions and better solid waste management based on 3R principles. Read the manifestos in English here

Key Comparisons and Contrasts

1. International Involvement:
   • Wickremesinghe leverages Sri Lanka’s position in global alliances, such as the Global Financing Pact and Climate Prosperity Plan, to attract international funding and support for environmental reforms.
   • Premadasa emphasizes aligning Sri Lanka with global agreements like the Paris Accord, focusing on renewable energy and sustainable practices, without the heavy international collaborations seen in Wickremesinghe’s plan.
   • Dissanayake, while also globally conscious, focuses more on local governance and environmental justice, with stringent accountability mechanisms aimed at internal reform.
2. Energy Policy:
   • Wickremesinghe’s ambitious target of 70% renewable energy by 2030 contrasts with Premadasa’s more cautious push for renewable energy integration. Wickremesinghe envisions Sri Lanka as a Green Energy Hub exporting power to neighbors.
   • Premadasa supports renewable energy but leans towards community-based solar and wind energy projects, ensuring local participation and benefit-sharing.
   • Dissanayake takes a more radical approach by advocating for alternative energy in industrial sectors and minimizing air pollution through a more structured transition away from fossil fuels. Watch his Energypolicy in Sinhala here
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3. Conservation and Biodiversity:
   • Wickremesinghe plans to enact a Biodiversity Law and establish a Regulatory Body to protect Sri Lanka’s diverse ecosystems. His focus is on balancing environmental challenges with economic gains, such as through eco-tourism and global recognition.
   • Premadasa’s commitment to mitigating human-wildlife conflicts reflects his desire to preserve biodiversity while ensuring local communities are not negatively impacted. His approach includes science-based solutions for elephant and peacock management.
   • Dissanayake emphasizes the protection of natural habitats and proposes extensive reforms to existing laws. He promotes community-based agroforestry and strict forest conservation measures, with less focus on global recognition and more on local sustainability.
4. Environmental Governance:
   • While both Wickremesinghe and Premadasa focus on updating laws and regulations, Dissanayake‘s manifesto is more aggressive in addressing institutional deficiencies. He calls for environmental assessments, public consultations, and the strict enforcement of international conventions.
   • Premadasa pushes for reforms but maintains a balance between development and environmental protection, whereas Wickremesinghe focuses more on integrating Sri Lanka into the global climate agenda with high-tech solutions like green hydrogen.

Conclusion

The 2024 Presidential Election presents voters with three distinct pathways to address climate change. Wickremesinghe’s vision is future-forward, focusing on turning global climate challenges into economic opportunities through international collaboration and high-tech solutions. Premadasa balances sustainable development with practical, locally driven initiatives, while Dissanayake offers a radical rethinking of environmental governance, prioritizing justice, sustainability, and strict accountability. Each candidate offers a unique perspective on how Sri Lanka can navigate its environmental challenges, leaving voters with a pivotal decision on the country’s climate future.