By Web Desk
TWA
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Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the People’s Liberation Front (PLF), has been declared President-elect of Sri Lanka after emerging victorious in a closely contested presidential election, marking a decisive shift in the country’s political landscape. The Election Commission of Sri Lanka announced Mr. Dissanayake’s victory after completing an unprecedented second count of votes, a necessary step as no candidate secured the required majority in the first round.
Dissanayake, a prominent Marxist lawmaker known for his pro-working class stance and criticism of the political elite, secured 5,740,179 votes. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa came in second with 4,530,902 votes. The vote count reflects the rejection of Sri Lanka’s traditional political leadership, which many blame for the country’s recent economic turmoil.
In a statement following his victory, Mr. Dissanayake expressed deep gratitude to his supporters, stating, “This achievement is not the result of any single person’s work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us.” He further added, “Millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history.”
Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office two years ago following the country’s economic collapse, congratulated Dissanayake and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the country toward continued growth and stability. “History will judge my efforts, but I can confidently say that I did my best to stabilise the country during one of its darkest periods,” Wickremesinghe stated.
Approximately 76% of Sri Lanka’s 17.1 million eligible voters cast ballots in the election. While the new President-elect has vowed not to scrap the nation’s controversial $2.9 billion IMF bailout deal, his party has indicated plans to renegotiate aspects of the agreement. PLF politburo member Bimal Ratnayake commented, “Our plan is to engage with the IMF and introduce certain amendments.”
Mr. Dissanayake’s victory is seen as a significant moment in Sri Lankan history, symbolizing the people’s desire for radical change and a break from the established political order.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in on Monday (September 23, 2024) as Sri Lanka’s ninth President at a ceremony in Colombo, a state television broadcast showed. Mr. Dissanayake emerged winner in Sri Lanka’s presidential race on Sunday, obtaining a mandate that signals a clean break from the island nation’s political establishment and ushers in unprecedented change.
Mr. Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.
On Dissanayake’s success, President Xijnping, Prime Minister Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and others extended their wishes to Sri Lanka’s 9th President.
