Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, has taken the oath of office, promising to “rewrite history” for a country still reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades.
The left-leaning leader, known for his anti-corruption stance, was elected following a closely contested presidential vote that went into a second round of counting, marking one of the tightest elections in the nation’s history.
In his victory speech, Dissanayake emphasized his commitment to creating a fresh start for Sri Lanka, stating, “The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history.”
His platform centered on good governance, anti-corruption measures, and economic reforms, including a plan to strengthen the country’s manufacturing, agriculture, and IT sectors.
Saturday’s election was the first since 2022, when widespread economic discontent sparked mass protests that ousted former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Dissanayake’s win is seen as a rejection of the corruption and cronyism that has long plagued Sri Lankan politics. His campaign resonated with voters demanding systematic change, despite lingering concerns over his party’s violent past.
Dissanayake’s alliance, the National People’s Power (NPP), which includes the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), gained prominence during the 2022 “Aragalaya” protests, a movement fueled by anger over the country’s economic collapse. Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves had dried up, leading to shortages of essential goods, while inflation soared to 70%, leaving many struggling to afford basic necessities.
In his statement, Dissanayake reassured the public that he would continue Sri Lanka’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country out of its economic crisis, but pledged to mitigate the impact of austerity on the nation’s poorest citizens.
Congratulatory messages have poured in from world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the US State Department. Outgoing president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who placed third in the election, also extended his best wishes, saying, “With much love and respect for this beloved nation, I hand over its future to the new president.”