Government Approval Drops by 15% in Five Months

Public approval for the Sri Lankan government has seen a substantial decline, falling to 50% in July, according to the latest survey by Verité Research. This represents a 15% drop in public endorsement compared to February, when the government enjoyed its highest approval rating since the election at 65%.

The survey, titled "How the Country Thinks," also revealed a sharp decrease in public optimism regarding the nation's economic future. Only 42% of respondents now believe the economy is improving, a significant drop from 64% who held this view in February. Conversely, the percentage of people who think the economy is deteriorating has risen sharply to 40%, compared to just 15% in February.

Furthermore, the number of individuals who explicitly disapprove of the government's performance has also increased notably. This figure now stands at 31%, up from 15% in February. The overall sentiment regarding the current economic situation is largely negative, with over half the population, 56%, considering it weak. Only 38% of Sri Lankans perceive the current economic conditions as excellent or good.

The findings indicate a growing public dissatisfaction with both the government's performance and the country's economic trajectory. The sharp increase in negative sentiment suggests a challenging period ahead for the administration as it navigates economic recovery and public trust.