It was formed as a coalition of left-wing and progressive parties that aimed to present an alternative to the existing political establishment.

[15][16] Established in 2019,[1][17] the NPP consists of 21 diverse groups, including political parties and other organisations led by the JVP.

[19][20] The NPP saw a surge in popular support during the 2022 Sri Lankan protests, amid dissatisfaction with the incumbent political establishment and the economic crisis.

[23] Shortly after his inauguration, President Dissanayake dissolved parliament and called for snap parliamentary elections, fulfilling one of his campaign pledges.

[27] Vijitha Hearath, contesting from Gampaha District, won 716,715 preferential votes, the highest ever recorded by a candidate in Sri Lanka.

[31] The NPP promotes a unique Sri Lankan economic model based on socialist principles and considers both neoliberalism and 'classical socialism' to be failures.

[32] The NPP claims to oppose excessive privatisation[33] and supports the state maintaining a role in energy, financial markets, and sectors directly related to national security while limiting involvement in profit-driven businesses.[34].