February 15, LNW(Colombo): Verité Research, led by Oxford and Harvard alum, Dr. Nishan De Mel, reports President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government holds a commanding 65% public approval rating.

This strong mandate has fueled speculation about snap provincial council elections, which haven’t been held for a long time. Political observers suggest the National People’s Power (NPP) government may leverage this popularity to consolidate power at the provincial level, demonstrating robust democratic legitimacy to international stakeholders. Such elections would test whether the NPP’s parliamentary landslide in November 2024 translates to grassroots support, potentially reshaping Sri Lanka’s provincial governance structure after years of central government administration.