Sri Lanka — narrative telemetry
PARLIAMENTARY_PROPORTIONAL · rolling 15-day window
15-Day Leverage Telemetry
Click a day to read its agenda
Top 12 Political Agenda
| # | Agenda topic | Conversation share | Velocity | Ruling | Opposition | Favours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Anti-Corruption Investigations GOVERNANCE | 18% | HIGH | +5 | -5 | Government |
Strategic assessment Dawn reports that on the previous day, the anti-graft authority arrested former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa over allegations that her charity misused donations, a major development in the NPP government's revival of investigations into the former ruling family. This action directly targets the SLPP, a key opposition bloc, and reinforces the NPP's core campaign promise of accountability, creating a decisive political asset for the incumbent. Dawn?UNB?The Manila Times? | ||||||
| 02 | IMF Program and Debt Restructuring ECONOMIC | 14% | HIGH | +3 | +2 | Neither |
Strategic assessment The Hindu reports that the IMF reached a preliminary agreement with Sri Lanka earlier in the week, clearing the way for a disbursement of about $345 million from its bailout program. This is a significant achievement for the NPP government's economic management, though the Opposition, per Ada Derana, frames the associated policy conditions as a burden on the public. The HinduneutralIMF?EconomyNext? | ||||||
| 03 | Cost of Living and Inflation ECONOMIC | 10% | MED | -3 | +3 | Opposition |
Strategic assessment According to a World Bank report covered by Newsfirst, while the macro-economy has recovered to pre-crisis levels, the benefits are uneven, with poverty remaining significantly above pre-crisis levels and household incomes lagging. This provides a potent line of attack for the opposition against the NPP government's economic narrative. Newsfirst?Daily FT?Numbeo? | ||||||
| 04 | Constitutional and Governance Reforms GOVERNANCE | 6% | LOW | +1 | 0 | Neither |
Strategic assessment The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace notes that while the NPP government came to power promising a new constitution and devolution, the details and timing remain unclear, and much of the broader reform agenda beyond anti-corruption remains stalled. This represents a potential vulnerability for the government as it measures its 'system change' promises against its actions. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace?Colombo Telegraph?WION? | ||||||
| 05 | Public Sector Restructuring and SOE Reform ECONOMIC | 5% | LOW | -1 | +1 | Opposition |
Strategic assessment The World Bank, in its latest update reported by Newsfirst, recommends a reallocation of public spending away from inefficient subsidies and toward productivity-enhancing investments, a key component of the ongoing economic reforms. These reforms, while seen as necessary by international partners, are often unpopular and create political friction for the NPP government. Newsfirst?Daily FT?IMF? | ||||||
| 06 | Ethnic Reconciliation and Transitional Justice SOCIAL | 4% | LOW | 0 | 0 | Neither |
Strategic assessment Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Ifri report that a Carnegie Endowment analysis notes that President Dissanayake has reaffirmed his commitment to devolution and equality for Tamil communities, but the specifics of a new constitution and the timing of provincial council elections are not forthcoming. This remains a persistent, low-velocity fault line in Sri Lankan politics, with the NPP government's approach still under scrutiny. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace?Ifri? | ||||||
| 07 | Judicial Independence and Rule of Law GOVERNANCE | 3% | MED | +2 | -2 | Government |
Strategic assessment The Colombo Telegraph reports that on this day, the Colombo High Court is scheduled to deliver a ruling on preliminary objections in a corruption case against former State Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa. The steady progression of high-profile cases against figures from previous administrations reinforces the NPP's narrative of restoring the rule of law, placing the opposition on the defensive. The Morning Telegraph?Nadu.lk?Colombo Telegraph? | ||||||
| 08 | Foreign Policy Realignment GOVERNANCE | 3% | LOW | 0 | +1 | Neither |
Strategic assessment The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlights a recent debate where President Dissanayake defended the government's stance of neutrality regarding the Iran war, while Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa challenged this as "passivity". This reflects ongoing pressure on the NPP government to navigate great-power rivalries. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace? | ||||||
| 09 | Energy Sector Stability and Pricing PUBLIC_GOODS | 3% | MED | -2 | +2 | Opposition |
Strategic assessment The IMF, in its statement on the staff-level agreement reported by CNA, urged the government to let domestic fuel prices adjust in line with international rates. This policy is a point of contention, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, per Sri Lanka Guardian, accusing the government of favouring a "diesel mafia" over renewable energy, making it a political liability for the incumbent. The HinduneutralCNA?Sri Lanka Guardian? | ||||||
| 10 | Health and Education Sector Strain PUBLIC_GOODS | 3% | LOW | -1 | +1 | Opposition |
Strategic assessment The arrest of the former First Lady, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı, involves allegations of misappropriating funds meant for a CT scanner for a children's hospital, highlighting vulnerabilities and alleged past corruption within the health sector. This keeps public attention on the challenges within public services, a continuous point of pressure for the government. Anadolu Ajansı?Dawn?UNB? | ||||||
| 11 | Agricultural Policy and Farmer Welfare ECONOMIC | 2% | LOW | -1 | +1 | Opposition |
Strategic assessment The World Bank's latest Sri Lanka Development Update, reported by Newsfirst, calls for productivity-enhancing investments in areas like agricultural research and climate-smart technologies to support the economic transformation. This highlights a long-term structural need that remains a challenge for the incumbent government. Newsfirst?Daily FT? | ||||||
| 12 | Investment Climate and Ease of Doing Business ECONOMIC | 2% | LOW | 0 | 0 | Neither |
Strategic assessment A recent analysis by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace points out that despite achieving relative stability, Sri Lanka has seen limited foreign investment, which stood at $1.04 billion in 2025. Improving this climate is a key, ongoing challenge for the NPP government's long-term economic strategy. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace?DailyNews.lk? | ||||||
Top 8 Daily Spike Issues
Short-life stories — part of the same 100% conversation as the Top 12- 01
Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa Arrested and Remanded in Corruption Probe
Helps the governmentGOV +5 · OPP -5HIGH escalation8% share · Day 2Dawn reports this is the most significant move yet in the NPP government's anti-corruption drive, directly targeting the family that dominated Sri Lankan politics for two decades and dealing a severe blow to the opposition SLPP.
Dawn · UNB · The Shillong Times · DailyNews.lk
- 02
IMF and Sri Lanka Reach Staff-Level Agreement for $345 Million Tranche
Helps the governmentGOV +3 · OPP +1MED escalation5% share · Day 4The Hindu reports the agreement, reached after earlier uncertainty, is a major validation of the government's economic management and unlocks crucial financing, though it is contingent on the upcoming budget and debt restructuring progress.
The Hindu · IMF · EconomyNext · Reuters
- 03
World Bank Upgrades Sri Lanka's 2026 Growth Forecast to 4.4%
Helps the governmentGOV +3 · OPP 0LOW escalation3% share · Day 3Newsfirst reports the World Bank's latest update shows the economy has surpassed pre-crisis levels, providing the NPP government with strong positive data for its economic narrative, although the report also warns the recovery is uneven.
Newsfirst · Daily FT
- 04
Former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama Arrested, Remanded Until Trial Conclusion
Helps the governmentGOV +4 · OPP -4MED escalation3% share · Day 2DailyNews.lk reports the arrest of another Rajapaksa-era minister on corruption charges on the same day as the former First Lady's arrest amplifies the government's anti-graft offensive and further pressures opposition figures from past administrations.
DailyNews.lk · Dawn
- 05
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Denounces IMF Pact as a 'Burden on the Public'
Helps the oppositionGOV -2 · OPP +3MED escalation3% share · Day 3The Morning reports that the Opposition Leader is actively building a counter-narrative to the government's economic success story, framing the IMF deal's conditions as harmful to ordinary citizens and a failure of the government's campaign promises.
The Morning · Ada Derana
- 06
Court to Deliver Ruling in Corruption Case Against Former Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa
Helps the governmentGOV +2 · OPP -2LOW escalation2% share · Day 1The Morning Telegraph reports the scheduled ruling keeps another member of the Rajapaksa family in the legal and media spotlight, sustaining the pressure from the ongoing anti-corruption proceedings driven by the state.
The Morning Telegraph · Nadu.lk
- 07
Premadasa Raises Concerns Over Jailed Monk's Court Attire
Helps the oppositionGOV -1 · OPP +2LOW escalation2% share · Day 3Newswire reports the Opposition Leader is attempting to create a political issue around the treatment of a controversial Buddhist monk, accusing the government of being insensitive to religious traditions in a bid to appeal to nationalist sentiments.
Newswire
- 08
Opposition Accuses Government of Sidelining Solar Power for 'Diesel Mafia'
Helps the oppositionGOV -2 · OPP +2LOW escalation1% share · Day 4According to Sri Lanka Guardian, the Opposition Leader is attacking the government's energy policy, linking it to corruption and vested interests, thereby attempting to undermine the government's reformist credentials on a key cost-of-living issue.
Sri Lanka Guardian
Agenda pushed by each side
Grounded from that day's reportingGovernment
Delivering on Anti-Corruption Promise with High-Profile Arrests
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government highlighted the arrest of former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa by the anti-graft commission as proof of its commitment to ending the era of impunity and ensuring accountability for all.
Issue #01Securing Economic Stability Through International Partnership
The government announced it has successfully reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for the seventh review of the EFF, securing access to approximately $345 million and keeping the nation's economic recovery on a stable path.
Issue #02Economic Growth Surpasses Pre-Crisis Levels
Citing the latest World Bank Development Update, the government noted that Sri Lanka's economy has returned to 2018 levels, with the 2026 growth forecast upgraded to 4.4%, demonstrating the success of its economic policies.
Issue #02
Opposition
IMF Agreement Places Unfair Burden on the Public
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the government must provide relief to the people instead of continuing with the IMF agreement, which he claimed imposes further hardships and increases the cost of living.
Issue #02Government Must Respect Religious Traditions and Dignity
In a statement, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over jailed monk Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera being brought to court in civilian clothes, calling on the government to act with sensitivity towards cultural and religious norms.
Issue #06Government Policies Undermining Renewable Energy Sector
Sajith Premadasa accused the government of damaging the solar power industry and catering to a 'diesel mafia', an issue he said he raised directly with the IMF's resident representative.
Issue #09