NPP Popularity Rises After Opposition U-Turn on Education Reform
Political Correspondent
For a brief moment, the NPP government appeared politically vulnerable. The withdrawal of the proposed education reform bill—amid protests, parliamentary resistance, and the threat of a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister—created an impression of hesitation. Opposition parties, including the SLPP and several smaller factions, such as Dilith Jayaweera, moved quickly to frame the delay as a failure of leadership.
That narrative, however, did not survive for long.
According to a recent survey conducted by a diplomatic mission monitoring political sentiment in Sri Lanka, public support for the NPP government has risen to 59 per cent—a figure that places the administration in a relatively comfortable position midway through a difficult reform cycle. The turning point was not the postponement of the education reform, but what followed next: a dramatic U-turn by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, himself.
From Resistance to Reversal
When the education reform bill was first tabled for debate in Parliament, it faced aggressive opposition. Critics warned of disruption, politicised fears among parents, and portrayed the reform as rushed and poorly communicated. The political climax came when sections of the opposition openly discussed a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, effectively transforming a policy disagreement into a regime-level confrontation.
In response, the government opted for caution. It postponed the bill for one year, citing the need for wider consultation and social consensus. At the time, this decision was widely interpreted by critics as retreat.
But events on the ground told a different story.
Within weeks, thousands of parents, educators, and civil society groups began demanding the immediate introduction of the education reform, arguing that they now understood its long-term value. What had initially been framed as a technocratic reform suddenly became a public demand.
Faced with this shift, opposition leaders were forced to reconsider their stance. The opposition leader himself publicly acknowledged that the education reforms were, in principle, “good” and necessary—an unmistakable U-turn from earlier resistance.
Political Consequences of Credibility
It was at this point that the NPP government’s popularity began to rise.
The diplomatic survey indicates that once the opposition reversed course, public perception shifted decisively. Voters appeared to reward the government not for pushing reforms recklessly, but for demonstrating restraint, ethical responsibility, and seriousness—especially on an issue as sensitive as education.
Parents and students, in particular, responded positively to the government’s approach. The message received was clear: this was an administration willing to pause, listen, and recalibrate—without abandoning reforms that are vital for the country’s long-term future.
In contrast, the opposition’s reversal created the impression of political opportunism rather than principled disagreement. What was once framed as a government failure came to be seen as an opposition miscalculation.
Governing Beyond Popularity
The episode also reinforced a broader perception about the NPP government: that it is willing to pursue difficult, sometimes unpopular reforms when they are necessary, rather than relying solely on short-term populism.
This credibility has been further strengthened by the government’s handling of the aftermath of the Ditwa cyclone. The focus on rebuilding, targeted investment, and coordinated disaster response—without theatrics—has contributed to a steady improvement in public confidence.
Taken together, these developments help explain why government popularity has not only recovered, but increased steadily in recent weeks.
An Unintended Political Gift
Ironically, the opposition’s U-turn—particularly by figures such as Sajith Premadasa—may have done the NPP government an unintended favour. By first opposing, then endorsing the education reform, the opposition effectively validated the government’s original policy direction.
The result is a political moment where the NPP appears measured and consistent, while its critics appear reactive.
At 59 per cent approval, the NPP government is not merely surviving a reform controversy—it is emerging from it politically strengthened. Whether this momentum can be sustained will depend on execution, communication, and delivery. But for now, one conclusion is difficult to avoid: the opposition’s reversal has reshaped the political narrative, and the government has benefited from it.