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Anura Kumara Dissanayake: New President of Sri Lanka

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 55, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's 9th President on September 23, 2024. He won a historic second round of counting, defeating incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

Election Results and Inauguration

  • Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 55, sworn in as Sri Lanka's 9th President on September 23, 2024
  • Won in a historic second round of counting, a first for Sri Lankan presidential elections
  • Defeated incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa
  • Secured victory with 42.31% in the first round, winning the second round with transferred votes
  • Inauguration held at the Presidential Secretariat, sworn in by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya
  • Pledged to protect and uphold democracy, acknowledging the challenging times ahead

Political Background and Campaign Promises

  • Leader of the Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party
  • Ran as head of the National People's Power coalition
  • JVP has a controversial history, including armed insurrections in the 1970s and 1980s
  • Rose to prominence during the 2022 "Aragalaya" (The Struggle) protests against the Rajapaksa regime
  • Campaign focused on anti-corruption measures, increased welfare, and tax cuts
  • Promised to address economic crisis and ease austerity measures imposed by previous government
  • Vowed to create a "cleaner" political culture and commit to change

Economic Context and Challenges

  • Sri Lanka emerging from its worst economic crisis in over seven decades
  • Crisis led to shortages of essentials like food, medicine, and fuel in 2022
  • Previous government negotiated an IMF bailout package, imposing austerity measures
  • Dissanayake faces challenge of balancing campaign promises with IMF agreement
  • Must address high taxes and reduced welfare expenditures affecting poor and middle class
  • Pledged to dissolve parliament, where his party holds only 3 of 225 seats

International Relations and Reactions

  • Received congratulations from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
  • Expressed commitment to strengthening ties with India for regional benefit
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Dissanayake, expressing desire to deepen ties
  • Xi hoped for further cooperation under China's Belt and Road initiative
  • U.S. also extended congratulations to the new president
  • Dissanayake's presidency marks a shift from traditional political dynasties in Sri Lanka

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