Transformative Change in Sri Lanka: Anura Dissanayake Wins Presidential Election 2024

News Today: Discover the latest updates on Sri Lanka’s political landscape today.

President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today that parliamentary elections will be held soon but declined to provide a specific date. Speaking from the election commission, he stated, “This victory belongs to us all,” emphasizing the importance of unity.

Dissanayake is focused on reviving Sri Lanka’s economy by developing the manufacturing, agriculture, and IT sectors. He has pledged to maintain the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at alleviating the economic crisis while minimizing the effects of austerity measures on the nation’s poorest citizens.

This recent election marked a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, being one of the closest contests in its history. Seventeen million citizens were eligible to vote, and the election commission reported it as the most peaceful election to date. However, a police curfew was imposed late Saturday for public safety but was lifted by noon local time.

Voters resonated with Dissanayake’s tough stance on anti-corruption and his commitment to good governance, stemming from widespread public demand for change following the economic turmoil. Despite concerns about the violent past of his party, the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Dissanayake moderated its hard-left stance, gaining significant support.

Early results showed him taking the lead, although he faced competition from rival candidate Sajith Premadasa, necessitating a second round of counting. Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who garnered only 17% of the vote, congratulated Dissanayake on his victory, handing over the nation’s future.