Role of the Opposition in a time of national crisis

We as a country are once again facing a moment of profound national trauma. The recent natural disaster—one of the worst since the 2004 tsunami—has left nearly a thousand confirmed dead or missing and caused an estimated $  7 billion in economic damage. In GDP terms, this represents a staggering 3–5%, a blow that will weigh heavily on the country’s recovery for years to come. As in the aftermath of both the tsunami and the 2022 economic crisis, the path ahead demands a collective national effort, rising above partisan interest. In this effort, the Opposition has a uniquely important and irreplaceable role.

A functioning democracy is tested not only by its Government, but equally by the quality, maturity, and responsibility of its Opposition. In a moment of crisis, when the State is stretched, institutions are under pressure, and immense financial flows are mobilised, this responsibility becomes even more crucial. The Opposition must act as guardian, watchdog, and moral compass, ensuring that the tragedy is not exploited, the victims are not forgotten, and the country’s recovery is not undermined by political opportunism or institutional decay.

There are painful lessons in this regard. Following the 2004 tsunami, the country received unprecedented levels of international assistance and goodwill. Billions of dollars in grants, aid, and technical support poured in, with the world united in sympathy for our grief. Yet the post-tsunami reconstruction was marred by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and the squandering of both money and global trust. The Helping Hambantota scandal, involving the Rajapaksa family, was only the most visible episode in a broader pattern of irregularities and misuse. For many donors, civil society actors, and citizens, it was a moment that exposed dangerous gaps in oversight and accountability.

We cannot afford a repeat of such failures. The economic cost of this disaster is too heavy, public trust too fragile, and the margin for further mismanagement far too slim. It is here that the Opposition must rise to the occasion, not as an adversary seeking to score easy points, but as a responsible partner in safeguarding the country’s future.

This does not mean silence, nor does it mean passive cooperation. The Opposition must be vigilant, assertive, and uncompromising in demanding transparency on relief procurement, foreign assistance, reconstruction contracts, and the distribution of aid to affected communities. It must insist on Parliamentary oversight mechanisms including committee reviews, audit disclosures, and mandatory reporting requirements in order to ensure that every rupee spent is traceable and justified.

However, accountability must not descend into cheap theatrics. The electorate has grown weary of political stunts, disruptive antics, and superficial grandstanding masquerading as activism. The call for an ‘all party meeting’ by an irrelevant former head of State is a case in point. These moments generate headlines, but they do not rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, or strengthen institutions. The Opposition must resist this temptation. At a time of national mourning, when the country is struggling to breathe, political gimmicks are not merely immature, they are harmful.

The recent tragedy is not simply a test of Government competence. It is a test of political maturity for all sides. The Opposition has the opportunity, and the obligation, to help shape a recovery that is cleaner, faster, and fairer. If it chooses responsibility over spectacle, substance over noise, and national interest over partisan gain, it will not only help Sri Lanka recover today, it may emerge as a viable and reasonable Government in waiting.