Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected as Sri Lanka’s 9th Executive President

News Today: Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected as Sri Lanka’s 9th Executive President

Sri Lanka has elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as its 9th Executive President, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. Dissanayake, aged 55, emerged victorious after a closely fought election against Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, with the election extending into a second round of vote counting. This historic win saw President Ranil Wickremesinghe unseated.

Dissanayake’s political career spans over 30 years, starting as the National Organiser of the Social Students’ Association in 1988. He later rose within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), joining its Central Working Committee in 1995 and becoming a Member of Parliament in 2001. His brief tenure as Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation between 2004-2005 in Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s government further strengthened his political profile.

In 2014, Dissanayake took over leadership of the JVP from Somawansa Amarasinghe, ushering in a new era for the party, which had been guided by only two leaders since its inception. Dissanayake, a Physics graduate from the University of Kelaniya, is known for his strong rhetoric on social justice, anti-corruption, and transparent governance.

As Sri Lanka’s new leader, Dissanayake is expected to address the country’s economic crisis and uphold democratic values. His leadership promises a renewed focus on labor rights, sovereignty, and anti-corruption efforts.