Sri Lanka’s Economic Progress Stalled by Persistent Racism 📈

• Overall Context: Sociological analysis indicates that systemic racism remains a significant barrier to Sri Lanka's peace and prosperity. While prejudice exists across all communities, modern racism is driven by power inequalities and ethno-nationalist narratives. • Policy & Governance: • Article 9 of the Constitution, which grants Buddhism "foremost place," is identified as a primary driver of majoritarian nationalism and administrative bias. • Despite the NPP Government’s secular stance, there are currently no formal proposals to abolish Article 9 due to potential political instability. • President Anura Dissanayake has pledged to eradicate racism, but experts argue that "symbolic rhetoric" must be replaced by measurable affirmative action and institutional restructuring. • Economic & Social Impact: • Trade & Commerce: Economic racism manifests as threat perceptions where minorities are accused of dominating trade, leading to boycotts and the "othering" of contributing communities. • Employment & Education: Systematic disparities persist in healthcare, education, and employment sectors due to ethnic profiling and lack of inclusivity. • Drivers of Instability: Key factors keeping racism "alive and kicking" include political polarization, digital misinformation on social media, and the misuse of religious symbols by radical groups. • Current Status: Based on recent incidents, such as communal tensions in Trincomalee (Nov 2025), the rule of law faces challenges when balancing constitutional religious protections with equal enforcement. Progress requires deep policy reform and educational pluralism to drive long-term change.