As I mentioned earlier, Sri Lanka has a new president. When I say "new," it truly feels like a fresh start. He has only been in power for less than 14 days, but already, people across the country—and even those living abroad—are sensing that change is coming. There's a palpable sense of excitement and hope in the air.

For many years, Sri Lanka has faced a range of challenges, but if you ask the people what the worst issue has been, most would likely point to corruption. It’s been rampant and undeniable, with nearly 99% of politicians accused of benefiting from the system rather than serving the people. However, I believe there’s something even more damaging than corruption: the divide and rule tactics that have been used to keep politicians in power for decades.

Sri Lankan politicians have long exploited the country’s diverse ethnic and religious makeup to create divisions among the people. Sri Lanka is home to Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims, and these communities practice different religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Instead of fostering unity, many politicians in the south instilled fear among the Sinhalese about Tamils and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in the north and east. Meanwhile, Tamil politicians did the same, perpetuating fear and distrust. Even after the LTTE was defeated, the presence of the military was maintained in the north and east, with checkpoints and army posts reminding people that the danger was still lurking, and that caution was needed.

But fear doesn’t last forever. Over time, the people moved on with their lives, and as the fear faded, they began to focus more on their daily struggles. With less fear to distract them, they started to question the real issues in the country and began to hold the politicians accountable. When the corruption is as deep as it is in Sri Lanka, this naturally becomes a problem for those in power.

It’s a classic strategy seen in many countries: when the government is failing its people, it needs to find an enemy to fight. By shifting focus, the people’s attention is diverted from the real issues—like corruption—and instead directed toward a manufactured threat. This is the essence of divide and rule.

"Divide and rule" (or “divide and conquer”) is a political and military strategy where rulers maintain control by fostering division among groups of people. By keeping communities mistrustful of one another, politicians prevent them from uniting against the true source of their suffering—corrupt and self-serving leadership. This tactic has been used by nearly every government in Sri Lanka since the British left in 1948.

Another important issue that has plagued Sri Lanka for decades is the luxury lifestyle of the politicians. Most have enjoyed lavish benefits—luxury vehicles, personal expenses, and an extravagant way of living, all paid for by the government. Essentially, the people of Sri Lanka have been funding the luxury lives of politicians and their families. However, with this new president, it seems like this era of extravagance is coming to an end, and I, for one, welcome this change.

Throughout my lifetime, I can’t recall a period where the well-being of the people was truly a priority. It always seemed like the main focus of politicians was figuring out how to cling to power for a few more years, while lining their pockets in the process.

But now, with this new president, something feels different. He seems genuinely committed to breaking away from the toxic politics of divide and rule. His focus is on uniting all Sri Lankans—regardless of their ethnicity or religion—as one nation. And perhaps most importantly, he is making tangible progress in the fight against corruption, something the country desperately needs.

This new direction offers hope, not just for economic stability, but for a new era of national unity and integrity. Sri Lanka has suffered long enough under the weight of corrupt leadership and divisive politics. Now, we may finally be witnessing the start of something better.