BACKGROUND: The presidential election to elect the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka was held in September 2024. The Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), maintains a monopoly over the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in Sri Lanka. This is despite a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act. Objective; examine engagements between the tobacco industry (TI) and candidates in the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election.
METHODS: Investigative research techniques were used, including key informant interviews, online content, industry publications, news reports, and community-level documentary evidence. Data were analyzed deductively based on the themes of ‘type of engagement,’ ‘TI investment,’ and ‘potential impact.
RESULTS: All four leading candidates demonstrated positive associations with the tobacco industry. Three had a history of direct engagement with CTC, while the fourth publicly supported the beedi industry during the campaign. Former Agriculture Minister: Accepted CTC sponsorship for water reservoir renovations. CTC cultivates most of the tobacco used locally for cigarette production and has been accused of exploiting Sri Lankan farmers. Former Prime Minister: Appointed CTC-affiliated individuals to government positions, including a former CTC chairman. Notable actions included promoting tobacco cultivation through an official letter (August 2017) and interfering in tobacco taxation policies. Hambantota District Parliament Member: Supported the "Sustainable Agriculture Development Programme(SADP) Mega Project," which CTC conducted in collaboration with the “Na Sevana” project. A CTC Director was part of the project’s executive committee. All these engagements received positive media coverage, amplifying TI influence.
CONCLUSIONS: The tobacco industry’s involvement with key political figures in Sri Lanka poses significant risks to public health, policy integrity. Findings emphasize need for a national policy to implement WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3 to safeguard public health policies from TI influence.