The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and without becoming disillusioned.

— Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks.

On September 22, 2024, a headline from CNN reverberated across Sri Lanka: “Sri Lankans elect Marxist-leaning Dissanayake as president to fix the economy.” The deceptively simple headline conceals the hope, frustration and the persistent change that characterize today’s Sri Lanka. National People’s Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake now stands at the helm. Yet questions echo in the collective consciousness: Is this the dawn of genuine transformation, or merely another chapter in Sri Lanka’s lengthy political saga? This time, the air feels charged with an unsettling potential.

What does the new president represent?

The Sri Lankan people’s yearning to disrupt the status quo has eclipsed their fear of the unknown — the nebulous movement embodied by AKD, a leader emerging from the rural hinterlands to topple the established order represented by the seasoned Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time president.

From his inaugural moment, AKD’s presidency marks an audacious experiment for the country. His NPP is a heterogeneous ranging from radical leftists rooted in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to progressive elements. Here, we witness a Antonio Gramsci-esque experiment in adapting Marxist movements to the ever-shifting landscape of social conditions.

Gramsci, a thinker who grappled with the nuances of ideological purity, argued for the necessity of pragmatism to forge a broader appeal. AKD’s own pragmatic turn has inspired a tentative optimism not only within Sri Lanka but also in the cautious hearts of its neighbors, especially India. The pivotal question persists: Can AKD balance reform with pragmatism during his presidency, or will he become ensnared in the very contradictions he seeks to transcend?

The NPP positions itself as a reformist entity distinct from its traditional Marxist roots, seeking to redefine its identity within the broader historical panoply of leftist movements. Yet — as with all revolutions — the shadow of past dogmas hovers, threatening to undermine the delicate foundations of reform.

AKD’s election symbolizes a profound shift in Sri Lankan politics and Sri Lankan socialism. In the 1970s, the JVP’s rigid adherence to Marxist orthodoxy privileged revolutionary fervor over pragmatic reform. Today, while the NPP acknowledges its origins, it has redefined itself as prioritizing governance and systemic reform over ideological purity. This evolution, however, is fraught with uncertainty and internal conflict, for the pull of old-guard sentiments within the JVP may clash with the drive for pragmatic governance.

How are Sri Lanka’s neighbors reacting?

As he navigates these turbulent waters, AKD faces formidable geopolitical challenges in the competing interests of India and China. Scholars  Harsh Pant and Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy assert, “Given the economic and geopolitical scenario, pragmatism is likely to take precedence — Sri Lanka will continue to balance between India and China.” Their insights reveal a landscape shaped by competing aspirations, where AKD’s focus on governance could forge a path toward stability — though whether this is a hopeful vision or an illusory one remains an open question.

However, India’s apprehension looms large as AKD’s presidency unfolds. The strength of the NPP, particularly in its connections to Beijing, raises alarms in New Delhi, which views the burgeoning partnership as a potential threat to its own regional influence. This fear is not unfounded, since India faces the possibility that Sri Lanka under AKD might continue the economic tango with China — trading closer alignment for survival. India fears that AKD might inadvertently lean toward China. The previous Rajapaksa regime did so, which cultivated ties with Beijing, allowing increased Chinese influence through infrastructure projects like the Hambantota Port. India’s security apparatus remains vigilant; some analysts warn that AKD’s presidency could herald a recalibration of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy that may favor China at India’s expense.

As New Delhi grapples with these fears, it remains intent on countering any perceived drift of Kotte towards Beijing. Indian officials are likely to engage with AKD’s administration to promote stability and cooperation while subtly exerting pressure to ensure Sri Lanka does not slip further into China’s orbit.

This geopolitical backdrop complicates AKD’s administration, as he must navigate the intricate balance between fostering relationships with both powers while maintaining domestic support. At the heart of this precarious experiment lies a pressing challenge: addressing the economic collapse that shadows AKD’s ascent.

AKD’s ability to navigate the labyrinthine reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the intricate dance of debt restructuring will define the early chapters of his presidency. To secure the fourth tranche of the $3 billion IMF bailout program, Sri Lanka must demonstrate measurable progress in fiscal reforms and debt sustainability. The urgency of these reforms is palpable, for the threat of further financial deterioration looms large, threatening the very fabric of the nation.

Debt restructuring is a particularly thorny issue, fraught with the weight of a massive external debt burden and exacerbated by years of mismanagement. AKD inherits a complex negotiation landscape, where cooperation from key creditors — China, India and private bondholders — will be critical. In the days preceding the election, Wickremesinghe warned that “any move to alter the basics of the agreement could delay a fourth tranche of nearly $3 billion from the IMF package, which is crucial for economic stability.” Such warnings echo in the corridors of power, reminding us of the fragile balancing act AKD must perform.

While China has already extended temporary reprieves in the form of debt rollovers, the way toward more comprehensive restructuring deals still needs to be discovered. Beijing’s strategic interests, particularly regarding infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), complicate the process. India, eager to witness stability in Sri Lanka, stands ready to support AKD’s reformist agenda, yet the shadows of previous projects, like the Adani wind power initiative, loom large, casting a shadow of uncertainty on future collaboration.

How will AKD move forward?

AKD’s administration must navigate the treacherous waters of fiscal consolidation, implementing IMF-mandated measures that include tax reforms, public revenue generation and enhanced governance in public enterprises. While these reforms are crucial for economic stabilization, they are not without risks. Public discontent could rise as the specter of austerity measures threatens to exacerbate inflation and unemployment.

The balancing act between India and China constitutes one of AKD’s most formidable challenges. On the one hand, India anticipates that his rise could distance Sri Lanka from the Rajapaksa-era ties to Beijing, marred by allegations of corruption. Conversely, AKD’s historical ties to China and the NPP’s pragmatic stance suggest that Beijing may still see him as a favorable partner. As a Chinese journalist candidly expressed, BRI projects could gain momentum under AKD’s presidency, perhaps even surpassing the ambitions of his predecessors.

This intricate balancing act will inevitably dominate AKD’s foreign policy. His early promise to cancel the controversial Adani wind power project, while unlikely to fracture relations with India immediately, signals a willingness to make bold decisions that challenge external powers. Yet, whether such actions will tilt the balance in Sri Lanka’s favor or further entangle it in diplomatic complexities remains shrouded in uncertainty — much like his earlier campaign against the US MCC agreement, which revealed a readiness to confront foreign influence when politically expedient.

Amidst these challenges, AKD’s presidency offers a flicker of hope. The ravaged economy, scarred by years of mismanagement, yearns for bold reform. AKD’s election embodies the public’s longing for something new, a desire to transcend the failures of the past. His presidency will be defined by how he navigates internal reforms and his capacity to traverse a complex geopolitical landscape deftly. The stakes are high, and the potential for failure looms large, yet the possibility of transformation lies within this uncertainty.

Sri Lanka has seen political experiments before; many leaders have succumbed to the very establishment they once vowed to dismantle. But AKD’s presidency symbolizes a nascent possibility — a collective aspiration for a better future. Success will not merely depend on policy but on forging unity in a nation long fractured by political and economic strife.

As AKD prepares for parliamentary elections in November — an event that could define his capacity to enact reforms — the lingering questions remain: Will the Sri Lankan people, civil society and international partners rally behind arduous yet necessary changes? And can AKD maintain the delicate equilibrium between ideology and pragmatism while steering Sri Lanka through the turbulence of geopolitical rivalries? Only time will unveil the true nature of this bold new experiment, a venture into the unknown where hope and despair coexist in a fragile embrace. The future, like Gramsci’s modernity, hangs between hope and uncertainty, awaiting its verdict in a world without illusions.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

This article picked by a teacher with suggested questions is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

Read our full range of politics picks here.

Specification:

• AQA Component 1, Section 3.1.2.4: Pressure groups: other influences on government and Parliament: think tanks, lobbyists, corporations, media

• Edexcel Component 1, Section 1.3: Pressure groups and other influences: other collective organisations including think tanks, lobbyists and corporations, and their influence on government and Parliament

Background: what you need to know

Both examination boards require you to understand the role of some special types of pressure group in UK politics. One of these is think tanks — groups of experts which research different policy areas and offer advice to governments and political parties.

The article examines the problems facing Conservative-leaning think tanks following the party’s defeat at the general election — how do they find a role in a political environment less favourable to their ideological position? The electoral upset has in some cases reduced their opportunities to find corporate funding.

They have responded in different ways. The centre-right Bright Blue and Policy Exchange think tanks, for example, are seeking to influence the Labour government’s policies. Others, such as the Thatcherite Centre for Policy Studies, aim to bolster the Conservative fightback in opposition by supplying the new leader’s team with policy ideas.

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

Double-down or pivot to Labour: the choice facing Tory think-tanks

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 1

• Evaluate the view that pressure groups, such as think tanks, lobbyists and corporations, exercise undue political influence within the UK democratic system. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks]

  TIP: Questions on this area are unlikely to focus solely on think tanks — so make sure that you can discuss other types of pressure group. David Cameron’s contacts with former government colleagues on behalf of Greensill Capital during the Covid-19 pandemic provide an example of lobbying.

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School

ROME — Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent demonstrators in Rome as tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets in major European cities and around the globe Saturday to call for a cease-fire as the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel approached.

Massive rallies were planned in several European cities, with the largest gatherings expected from Saturday to Monday. Events will peak Monday, the date of the anniversary.

In Rome, several thousands demonstrated peacefully Saturday afternoon until a smaller group tried to push the rally toward the center of the city, in spite of a ban by local authorities who refused to authorize protests, citing security concerns.

Some protesters, dressed in black and with their faces covered, threw bottles and paper bombs at the police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons, eventually dispersing the crowd.

The rally in Rome had been calm earlier, with people chanting “Free Palestine, Free Lebanon,” waving Palestinian flags and holding banners calling for an immediate stop to the conflict.

In London, thousands gathered in Russell Square amid a significant police presence. Some of the march’s organizers had said they planned to target companies and institutions they claimed were “complicit in Israel’s crimes,” including Barclays Bank and the British Museum.

The atmosphere was tense as pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-demonstrators, some holding Israeli flags, passed one another. Scuffles broke out as police officers pushed back activists trying to get past a cordon. Fifteen people were arrested on suspicion of public order offenses and assault, London’s Metropolitan Police said.

In the northern German city of Hamburg, about 950 people staged a peaceful demonstration with many waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags or chanting “Stop the Genocide,” the DPA news agency reported, citing a count by police. Two smaller pro-Israeli counterdemonstrations took place without incident, it said.

Several thousands protesters gathered peacefully at Paris’ Republique Plaza in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people. Many were waving Palestinian flags while holding posters reading ”stop the genocide,” “free Palestine,” and “hands off Lebanon.”

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also planned to join rallies in Washington, New York’s Times Square and several other cities in the United States as well as in other parts of the world, including Denmark, Switzerland, South Africa and India. In the Philippines, dozens of left-wing activists protested near the U.S. Embassy in Manila, where police prevented them from getting closer to the seaside compound.

Pro-Israeli demonstrations are expected to be held Sunday because Jews across the world are still observing Rosh Hashana, or the Jewish new year.

This year, the emotions will be extraordinarily powerful for many given that the midpoint of the 10 days spanning Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is Oct. 7 — the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

High security alerts

Security forces in several countries warned of heightened levels of alert in major cities, amid concerns that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could inspire new terror attacks in Europe or that the protests could turn violent.

Pro-Palestinian protests calling for an immediate cease-fire have repeatedly taken place across Europe and around the globe in the past year and have often turned violent, with confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.

Italian authorities believed that the timing of Saturday’s rally in Rome risked the Oct. 7 attack being “glorified,” local media reported.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi also stressed that, ahead of the key anniversary, Europe is on high alert for potential terror attacks.

“This is not a normal situation. … We are already in a condition of maximum prevention,” he said.

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Britain, said he and others will keep organizing marches until action against Israel is taken.

“We need to be out on the streets in even bigger numbers to stop this carnage and stop Britain being drawn into it,” Jamal said.

In Berlin, a march is scheduled from the Brandenburg Gate to Bebelplatz on Sunday. Local media reported that security forces have warned of potential overload because of the scale of protests. German authorities pointed to increasing antisemitic and violent incidents in recent days.

Earlier this week in France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned the country’s regional prefects, expressing concern about possible tensions and saying that the terrorist threat was high.

A tense and bloody year

On Oct. 7 last year, Hamas launched a surprise attack into Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis, taking 250 people hostage and setting off a war with Israel that has shattered much of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since then in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians.

Nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive. Israelis have experienced attacks — missiles from Iran and Hezbollah, explosive drones from Yemen, fatal shootings and stabbings — as the region braces for further escalation.

In late September, Israel shifted some of its focus to Hezbollah, which holds much of the power in parts of southern Lebanon.

A CONVENIENCE store chain with more than 1,000 branches nationwide will start stocking items from retailer Tesco.

One Stop, which is owned by parent company Tesco Group, will start lining its aisles with products from the popular supermarket.

1

The new products will be introduced in phases from later this month and roll out into next year.

These will include an expanded range of “healthier and affordable” options.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for us,” One Stop managing director Stephanie Wood said.

“The Tesco Core Own Brand range will not only elevate customer experience with high-quality, trusted products, but it will also enable our franchisees to offer a broader and more competitive range to their local communities.”

Tesco’s Core Own Brand range will also be available on all four of One Stop’s delivery platform partners – Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats and Snappy Shopper.

PULLING THE PLUG

It comes after Tesco announced it would be closing its High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire superstore between October 2024 and autumn 2025.

The store will remain closed while landlord Buckinghamshire Council reconfigures the site. 

Tesco will open a temporary Express store in the Eden Shopping Centre while the branch is closed.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our superstore will reopen in Autumn 2025 with a refreshed look and feel which we’re excited to share with customers.”

Tesco is pursuing a strategy of expansion with plans to open 70 more stores across the UK over the next year.

The cost-of-living crisis has meant households have less money in their pockets and so are cutting back on their spending.

As a result, high street shops have seen lower footfall and less money landing in the tills since the pandemic.

That, coupled with ongoing restructuring plans and high rents, has forced many chains to close.

Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed almost 10,500 UK shops closed for the final time in 2023.

The 12-month period also saw over 119,000 jobs lost across the sector.

According to the centre’s most recent data, 1,846 stores closed and 23,982 retail jobs were lost during the first six months of 2024.

GL-EWW

Tesco also issued an urgent recall urging consumers not to buy certain mince pies because they could contain glue.

The product affected is the six pack of Tesco Finest 6 All Butter Pastry Mince Pies.

Packets with the following best before dates should not be eaten: October 4, October 26, November 2, and November 10.

The Food Standards Agency put the alert up on Thursday warning customers that the baked goods may contain pieces of dried glue from the packaging, making them “unsafe to eat”.

The agency advises customers who have bought the product not to eat it but to return it to any store for a full refund – no receipt is required.

If customers run into any further issues they have been urged to call the Tesco Customer Service line on 0800 50 5555.

The supermarket has reassured customers that no other products have been affected by this issue.

A spokesperson for Tesco said the recall was a “precautionary measure”.

They added:“The quality of our products is our number one priority and we immediately began an investigation with our supplier to understand what happened. We’re sorry for the inconvenience”.

A US judge has denied a request from a black student in Texas who had asked for a court order to protect him from punishment at his secondary school over his hair style.

Officials suspended Darryl George, 19, last August, saying his dreadlocks violated the dress code.

Mr George asked district Judge Jeffrey Brown to issue a temporary restraining order so he could return to his Houston-area school as a federal lawsuit he filed over the suspension proceeds.

But in his ruling in Friday, Judge Brown denied the request, saying he had waited too long to ask for the order.

Since the start of Mr George’s previous year at Barbers Hill High School, beginning in August 2023, he has been handed several disciplinary penalties for refusing to cut his hair.

The school district referred to its dress code, which says hair cannot be “below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down”.

But Mr George refused to cut his braided dreadlocks, with the family citing its cultural significance in the black community.

He was removed from class and placed on in-school suspension, and later required to attend an off-campus programme.

“He has to sit on a stool for eight hours in a cubicle,” his mother told the Associated Press news agency last year.

“That’s very uncomfortable. Every day he’d come home, he’d say his back hurts because he has to sit on a stool.”

Mr George returned to the same school this year.

But lawyers for Mr George said last month he had been forced to unenroll and transfer to another school because school officials had placed him on in-school suspension on the first and second day of the new school year, which began in August.

A federal lawsuit brought by Mr George and his mother will continue.

Mr George has alleged his punishment violates the Crown Act, a recent state law prohibiting race-based discrimination of hair. The law, which took effect in September 2023, bars employers and schools from penalising people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including dreadlocks.

In February, a state judge ruled that his punishment did not violate the Crown Act.