Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a left-leaning politician, has won the presidential election in Sri Lanka and is becoming the country’s next president. He secured victory after a historic second round of counting, surpassing his nearest rival, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and outgoing president Ranil Wikremesinghe. This surprising win marks a significant turnaround for Dissanayake, who initially only received 3% of the votes in the 2019 election.
Dissanayake, representing the National People’s Power (NPP) alliance, has gained increasing support for his anti-corruption stance and pro-poor policies, especially in light of the nation’s severe economic crisis. Born in 1968, Dissanayake hails from a multicultural town in central Sri Lanka and has a background in physics. He first entered politics during a tumultuous period in Sri Lanka’s history and later became associated with the Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist political party.
During his campaign, Dissanayake promised to address the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and vowed to investigate the matter if elected. He has positioned himself as a candidate for change, resonating with voters who are disillusioned with the country’s political elite and seeking a new direction for Sri Lanka.
Dissanayake’s policy pledges include anti-corruption measures, larger welfare schemes, and tax reductions, aiming to alleviate the economic hardships faced by many Sri Lankans. His victory in the election, with a high turnout of 76% of the electorate, has been described as “impressive” and devoid of divisive tactics based on race or religion.
