The island that voted before Paris View(s):By S. Y. QuraishiHere’s a historical detail that not just Sri Lanka but the whole of South Asia should be proud of: In 1931, women in a small island colony in the Indian Ocean gained the right to vote—years before women in Paris, Brussels, or Geneva. Taylor called its first truly democratic election, this distant outpost of empire was already experimenting with universal adult franchise. For a moment, it felt as if Sri Lanka’s democracy had matured. The pendulum swings backFive years later, Sri Lanka again became a test case for democracy—this time under a pandemic. Crisis and renewalBy 2022, disastrous policies—sudden tax cuts, a nationwide fertiliser ban—triggered Sri Lanka’s first sovereign default.

Source: Sunday Times January 25, 2026 00:13 UTC