Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Sri Lankan Politics, Political Science, Current Affairs (Historical), Non-Fiction, Election Analysis.

Book Review:
T.D.S.A. Dissanayaka's ''The Politics of Sri Lanka'' offers a valuable snapshot of a critical juncture in the island's history—the period surrounding the 1994 General Election, which ended nearly two decades of UNP rule and brought Chandrika Kumaratunga to power. Written by a former ambassador and seasoned political observer, the book promises and delivers an ''in-depth analysis'' of the forces, personalities, and issues that defined that era.

Dissanayaka's unique perspective as an insider-outsider (a diplomat with access, yet writing independently) lends credibility to his account. He navigates the complex web of party politics, ethnic tensions, and economic challenges with a clear, journalistic style, adhering to his stated goal of writing ''without fear or favour.'' The book serves as an excellent primary source for understanding the political climate of the early 1990s, a bridge between the era of civil war and a hoped-for peace.

While some of its analysis is now of historical rather than current interest, the patterns and themes it identifies—leadership struggles, coalition dynamics, and the interplay of democracy and conflict—remain relevant. For students, researchers, and anyone interested in the roots of modern Sri Lankan politics, this book is a crucial and well-informed record of a transformative election and the politics that led to it.