Paper short abstract:

This paper evaluates the mechanisms Sri Lanka's government is putting in place to transform the island from an illiberal democracy to a soft-authoritarian regime geared to create a political dynasty. It further explains how domestic and international politics combine to make this possible.

Paper long abstract:

The high hopes that many had for Sri Lanka's post-civil war trajectory have been dashed thanks to the authoritarian practices adopted by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government. The charges of war crimes leveled against the regime (for the brutal manner in which the civil war was terminated) have also created a troubling nexus between the island's military and civilian leadership and led to a culture of impunity that is further undermining the rule of law. The authoritarian mechanisms that are being instituted are designed to ensure a Rajapaksa political dynasty and come at the expense of reconciliation with the Tamil minority and good governance for all Sri Lankans. Both domestic politics and the balance of power transformation taking place at the international level have combined to assist this troubling development.