The 2020s began with significant challenges for Sri Lanka. From the devastating Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 to the global pandemic and an economic crisis that took years to recover from, the nation faced bleak times. However, the 2024 elections rekindled hope for a brighter future. December’s grand Christmas celebrations and the resurgence of tourism, with two million arrivals last year, signal a return to normalcy. Could 2025 be the big break the nation has been waiting for?
The Sunday Observer spoke to several Sri Lankans to hear their hopes and concerns for the year ahead.
Collaboration as a path forward
A physician based in Diyathalawa, Dr. Gayan Kumarasinghe said that cooperation is the only way forward as a nation.
“My message for Sri Lanka is that everyone should collaborate; share knowledge and skills, so that we can move forward collectively and achieve great feats. Because when you do things alone, you may not achieve the level of greatness that we need today. But with collective effort we could do much more than something that we will only achieve as individuals. That is what I’m trying to do; I’m trying to educate people on the things which I think could be important for their careers, especially doctors”.
Strength and resilience amid change
A school teacher and musician, Sithija Malima Arjumann wishes everyone strength and resilience in dealing with the expectations and realities in 2025. “This year, like any other, will bring many changes around us. Let us embrace the flow and keep moving forward, no matter what comes our way. Be the learner when you meet the teacher and the teacher when you meet the learner.
Dr. Ajantha Perera is an environmental activist. She said that elephants and toque macaques are threatened with habitat loss in Sri Lanka. “Elephants are being taken to unfamiliar areas so there’s a lot of conflict because they have their own territorial behaviour and when they see another elephant or herd approaching there is a conflict so there is competition for food, shelter and mating; same with the macaques that are being taken away and put in islands. Some have been put in forest cover which are unknown to them and where food availability is low. The authorities, for some reason, has not understood the value of wildlife. They don’t know how to relate tourism and environment. 2025, I believe, is going to be a very hard year for environmentalists”. Dr. Perera emphasised the need for environmental groups to sink their differences and work towards a common goal. “This collaboration is necessary to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development”.
Supporting local talent
Yazmin Yousuf is a radio host and producer. As a musical journalist and the co-founder of Decibel.Lk, Yazmin has been a huge advocate for local talent. “There was never an international scene without a local one, so keep supporting your favourite artist from home!”
Swathika Arulingam, a human rights lawyer and activist, said that the masses sent a clear message to the ruling elite in last year’s polls and gave the NPP Government a mandate to revamp the old socio-economic order. However, she said that within weeks of coming to power, they agreed to a disastrous debt deal agreed upon by the Wickremesinghe regime.
“By doing so they placed the burden of repaying the debt on the working class; both through taxes and EPF savings, while saving local elites who are celebrating on profits they have reaped thanks to the debt deal. This new year, I hope the people will remind their representatives why they voted them into power- to change the status quo, not to save it”.
Patience and discipline
Writer Ashok Ferry expressed optimism for the New Year in Sri Lanka, but said that change will not happen right away.
“We Sri Lankans are starting with a massive amount of hope and expectation, more than we’ve ever had before. Now, the trouble is we also want to see instantly, overnight. But this is not a country where things happen instantly. So what I would suggest is a lot of patience and on top of that, a little internal discipline from each of us would go a very long way”.
Hopeful of a new era
Dulvin Jayasinghe, a design student at the University of Moratuwa, said he has good hopes for 2025 and believes the new Government and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake might be a step towards a new era. “We should let this new political change do its work and supporting them would be the most beneficial for us Sri Lankans considering that a Government hasn’t held power like this before. As for me, being a hopeful young Sri Lankan, I think this would be a great year for us all”
As Sri Lanka enters 2025, its people’s voice reflects a blend of hope, concern, and determination. The road ahead may be challenging, but with collaboration, resilience, and accountability, the nation has the potential to turn this year into a stepping stone towards lasting progress.
