Sri Lanka News / Anura Dissanayake will be the new President of Sri Lanka, will take oath on Monday

Sri Lanka News: Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake created history on Sunday by winning the Sri Lankan presidential election. Sri Lanka's Election Commission declared him the winner after the second round of counting. 56-year-old Dissanayake defeated Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), his closest rival. Dissanayake will now become the ninth President of Sri Lanka and will be sworn in on Monday.

Incumbent President Wickremesinghe out

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was contesting as an independent candidate, was eliminated in the first round of counting. Wickremesinghe had emphasized Sri Lanka's economic reforms in the last two years, but failed to gain public support.

Wickremesinghe said in a statement after the election, "President Anura Dissanayake, I am handing over Sri Lanka's beloved child to your care. I want you to safely deliver this child to his destination." This statement symbolically indicated the responsibility of Sri Lanka's future to Dissanayake.

Election process

In the presidential election held on Saturday, no candidate got more than the required 50% votes in the first round of counting. Due to this, the Election Commission ordered a second round of counting, in which Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake won.

Sri Lanka's first Marxist President

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also known as "AKD" in Sri Lanka, is going to become Sri Lanka's first Marxist President. His party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was on the margins for a long time, but this victory has given a new identity to the party. The rise of the party under Dissanayake's leadership has been based on demands for anti-corruption and change in political culture.

Support of the youth

Dissanayake's anti-corruption slogan and promises of political change especially attracted young voters. Sri Lanka's economic crisis has seen a surge in youth calls for regime change, and Dissanayake capitalised on this sentiment. Young people voted in large numbers for him, making his election campaign a major success.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's Background

Anura Kumara Dissanayake hails from rural Thambuttegama in the North Central Province and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya in suburban Colombo. He joined the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) in 1987, when the anti-Indian insurgency was at its peak. Throughout his political career, he has fought against corruption and for people's rights.

Conclusion

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's victory represents a major shift in Sri Lanka's political landscape. His rise to the presidency as a Marxist leader, especially at a time of economic and political challenges in the country, shows that the public is looking for a new leadership style and political vision. Now it will be interesting to see how Dissanayake will fulfill his promises and hopes for change.