A Marxist-leaning candidate clinches victory in Sri Lanka's presidential election, marking a significant shift in the nation's political landscape.
Reuters reported that Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a 55-year-old politician without traditional political lineage, has been elected as Sri Lanka's new president.
This election, the first since the country's severe economic crisis in 2022, saw Dissanayake secure 42.3% of the counted votes, defeating incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.
The election results reflect the public's desire for change and their faith in Dissanayake's promises to combat corruption and strengthen the country's fragile economic recovery. This historic vote marks the first time in Sri Lanka's history that a presidential race was decided by a second tally of votes, as no candidate secured the mandatory 50% in the initial count.
Dissanayake, leader of the National People's Power (NPP) party, emerged victorious after a second round of vote counting. His triumph represents a significant boost from his previous performance in the 2019 presidential election, where he garnered only 3% of the votes. Upon confirmation of his victory, Dissanayake addressed reporters, stating:
We believe that we can turn this country around, we can build a stable government... and move forward. For me this is not a position, it is a responsibility.
The new president-elect ran on a platform promising tough anti-corruption measures and policies to support the poor, which resonated with voters still grappling with the effects of the recent economic crisis. Dissanayake has pledged to dissolve parliament within 45 days of taking office to seek a fresh mandate for his policies in general elections.
Sri Lanka's recent economic meltdown in 2022 left the country unable to pay for essential imports, leading to widespread shortages and public unrest. The crisis forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and ultimately resign.
Under Wickremesinghe's leadership, the country embarked on a fragile economic recovery, supported by a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. However, the austerity measures implemented as part of this recovery plan have been unpopular among voters, contributing to Wickremesinghe's third-place finish in the election with only 17% of the votes.
Dissanayake's election victory presents both opportunities and challenges for Sri Lanka's future. While his promises of change have resonated with the electorate, he will need to navigate carefully to maintain economic stability and meet IMF fiscal targets.
During his campaign, Dissanayake took a conciliatory approach towards economic policies, stating that any changes would be undertaken in consultation with the IMF. He has also expressed commitment to ensuring the repayment of the country's debt.
Pradeep Peiris, a political scientist at the University of Colombo, commented on the election results:
The election result clearly shows the uprising that we witnessed in 2022 is not over. People have voted in line with those aspirations to have different political practices and political institutions. AKD (as Dissanayake is popularly known) reflects these aspirations and people have rallied around him.
The new president will face the challenge of balancing popular expectations with economic realities. He must ensure Sri Lanka adheres to the IMF program until 2027 to stabilize the economy, attract investors, and lift a quarter of the population out of poverty.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake's election as Sri Lanka's new president marks a significant shift in the country's political landscape. His victory, secured through a historic second tally of votes, reflects the public's desire for change and anti-corruption measures. As Dissanayake prepares to take office, he faces the formidable task of steering Sri Lanka towards economic stability while fulfilling his campaign promises of reform and support for the poor.
