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<p>The new Sri Lankan government, under the leadership of&nbsp;Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will continue strengthening its friendly relationship with China, a member of the&nbsp;National People's Power (NPP) said on Sunday (Sep&nbsp;22) hours after the results of the presidential election were announced, the news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p>Dissanayake, candidate of the NPP, emerged as the winner in the presidential election held on Saturday, the Election Commission confirmed. He was sworn in as president on Monday.</p>

<h2><strong>'Worked very closely with China'</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking to reporters, NPP leader&nbsp;Harini Amarasuriya said that the new government looked&nbsp;forward to extending the friendly relationship with China.</p>

<p>"We've worked very closely with China in the past, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to having a good relationship with China, as we've had in the past," Amarasuriya said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/anura-dissanayake-takes-oath-as-ninth-president-of-sri-lanka-761053">Anura Dissanayake takes oath as 10th president of Sri Lanka</a></strong></p>

<p>According to the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing, "Sri Lanka and China are traditional friendly countries with relations dating back over many centuries."</p>

<p>"Relations were fostered by thriving trade exchanges along the Maritime Silk Route and far-reaching cooperation in culture and knowledge," the embassy said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A look at the election results</strong></h2>

<p>Dissanayake polled 5.6 million, or 42.3 per cent&nbsp;of the votes, a massive surge over the 3 per cent&nbsp;he managed in the last presidential election in 2019. Sajith Premadasa was second at 32.8%.</p>

<p>It was the first time in the Indian Ocean island's history that the presidential race was decided by a second tally of votes after the top two candidates failed to win the mandatory 50 per cent&nbsp;of votes to be declared winner.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/who-is-anura-kumara-dissanayake-what-you-should-know-about-sri-lankas-new-president-elect-761048">Who is Anura Kumara Dissanayake? What you should know about Sri Lanka's new president</a></strong></p>

<p>Given that no candidate secured more than 50 per cent of the votes, the Election Commission counted the second and third preferences of the two leading candidates, for the first time in the history of&nbsp;the Sri&nbsp;Lankan presidential election.</p>

<p>Dissanayake obtained 5,634,915 votes in the first count and 105,264 preferential votes during the second count.</p>

<p>This was the country's first election since its economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving it incapable of paying for imports of essentials like&nbsp;fuel, medicine, and cooking gas. Protests forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign.</p>

<h2><strong>Xi wants to deepen BRI cooperation with Sri Lanka</strong></h2>

<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said he hoped to broaden cooperation with Sri Lanka under his Belt and Road Infrastructure Initiative (BRI) as he congratulated the island nation's new leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.</p>

<p>"I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and am willing to work with Mr&nbsp;President to continue our traditional friendship (and) enhance mutual political trust,"&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;said in a message to Dissanayaka, according to state broadcaster CCTV.</p>

<p>Xi&nbsp;said he hoped bilateral cooperation under his flagship BRI would "bear more fruit,"&nbsp;CCTV added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The new Sri Lankan government, under the leadership of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will continue strengthening its friendly relationship with China, a member of the National People's Power (NPP) said on Sunday (Sep 22) hours after the results of the presidential election were announced, the news agency Reuters reported.

The new Sri Lankan government, under the leadership of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, will continue strengthening its friendly relationship with China, a member of the National People's Power (NPP) said on Sunday (Sep 22) hours after the results of the presidential election were announced, the news agency Reuters reported. Dissanayake, candidate of the NPP, emerged as the winner in the presidential election held on Saturday, the Election Commission confirmed. He was sworn in as president on Monday. 'Worked very closely with China' Speaking to reporters, NPP leader Harini Amarasuriya said that the new government looked forward to extending the friendly relationship with China. "We've worked very closely with China in the past, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to having a good relationship with China, as we've had in the past," Amarasuriya said. Also read | Anura Dissanayake takes oath as 10th president of Sri Lanka According to the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing, "Sri Lanka and China are traditional friendly countries with relations dating back over many centuries." "Relations were fostered by thriving trade exchanges along the Maritime Silk Route and far-reaching cooperation in culture and knowledge," the embassy said. A look at the election results Dissanayake polled 5.6 million, or 42.3 per cent of the votes, a massive surge over the 3 per cent he managed in the last presidential election in 2019. Sajith Premadasa was second at 32.8%. It was the first time in the Indian Ocean island's history that the presidential race was decided by a second tally of votes after the top two candidates failed to win the mandatory 50 per cent of votes to be declared winner. Also read | Who is Anura Kumara Dissanayake? What you should know about Sri Lanka's new president Given that no candidate secured more than 50 per cent of the votes, the Election Commission counted the second and third preferences of the two leading candidates, for the first time in the history of the Sri Lankan presidential election. Dissanayake obtained 5,634,915 votes in the first count and 105,264 preferential votes during the second count. This was the country's first election since its economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving it incapable of paying for imports of essentials like fuel, medicine, and cooking gas. Protests forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign. Xi wants to deepen BRI cooperation with Sri Lanka Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said he hoped to broaden cooperation with Sri Lanka under his Belt and Road Infrastructure Initiative (BRI) as he congratulated the island nation's new leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. "I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and am willing to work with Mr President to continue our traditional friendship (and) enhance mutual political trust," Xi said in a message to Dissanayaka, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Xi said he hoped bilateral cooperation under his flagship BRI would "bear more fruit," CCTV added. (With inputs from agencies)

New Sri Lankan govt to continue strengthening friendly relationsh with China

Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken his oath as Sri Lanka’s new president after he was declared the winner of Saturday’s election. Dissanayake said he understood the complexity of the problems facing Sri Lanka and would work hard to realise people’s hopes and win the confidence of all Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka's New President Dissanayake Calls for Respecting and Restoring 'People's Mandate'

<p>Sri Lanka's election commission said on Sunday (September 22) that Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake&nbsp;won the presidential election, and will replace the current president, Ranil Wickremesinghe.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. 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… <a href="https://t.co/N7fBN1YbQA">pic.twitter.com/N7fBN1YbQA</a></p>
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuradisanayake/status/1837856128518312400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to the commission's website, 55-year-old is set to be sworn in on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This election marks the first following the country's economic crisis in 2022.&nbsp;With no prior political experience, Dissanayake led the polls from the outset, surpassing both incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. He received&nbsp;5.6 million votes, making&nbsp;42.3 per cent, a notable increase from the mere 3 per cent he achieved in the 2019 presidential election.</p>

<p>"The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. 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," Dissanayake wrote on X.</p>

<p>"The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history," he added.</p>

<p>This election was also significant as it was the first in Sri Lanka's history to require a second round of counting, as neither of the leading candidates managed to secure the necessary 50 per cent of the votes to be declared the winner.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Sri Lanka's election commission said on Sunday (September 22) that Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the presidential election, and will replace the current president, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka's election commission said on Sunday (September 22) that Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the presidential election, and will replace the current president, Ranil Wickremesinghe. The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. 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… pic.twitter.com/N7fBN1YbQA — Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 22, 2024 × According to the commission's website, 55-year-old is set to be sworn in on Monday. This election marks the first following the country's economic crisis in 2022. With no prior political experience, Dissanayake led the polls from the outset, surpassing both incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. He received 5.6 million votes, making 42.3 per cent, a notable increase from the mere 3 per cent he achieved in the 2019 presidential election. "The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true. 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," Dissanayake wrote on X. "The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history," he added. This election was also significant as it was the first in Sri Lanka's history to require a second round of counting, as neither of the leading candidates managed to secure the necessary 50 per cent of the votes to be declared the winner. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka elects Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as new president

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<p>Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who grabbed an early lead in the presidential election in Sri Lanka, vowed on Sunday (Sep&nbsp;22) that he would not scrap&nbsp;the country's unpopular four-year&nbsp;$2.9 billion IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout agreement, but instead renegotiate it.</p>

<p>Dissanayake, 55, and his People's Liberation Front (JVP) will "not tear up" the IMF deal, party politburo member Bimal Ratnayake told the news agency AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-presidential-election-anura-kumara-dissanayake-grabs-early-lead-to-become-president-760825">Sri Lanka presidential election: Anura Kumara Dissanayake grabs early lead to become president</a></strong></p>

<p>"Our plan is to engage with the IMF and introduce certain amendments.&nbsp;We will not tear up the IMF programme. It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate," Ratnayake said.</p>

<h2><strong>Alteration of bailout programme</strong></h2>

<p>Ratnayake told AFP that&nbsp;Dissanayake&nbsp;had pledged to reduce income taxes that were doubled by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and slash sales taxes on food and medicines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We think we can get those reductions into the programme and continue with the four-year bailout programme," the JVP politburo member further said.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka saw its first election since the economy buckled in 2022&nbsp;under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving the country unable to pay for imports of essentials like&nbsp;fuel, medicine and cooking gas.</p>

<p>Thousands of protesters marched in Colombo in 2022 and occupied the president's office and residence, forcing then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | Race to Power:&nbsp;Who do people trust for Sri Lanka's future?</strong></p>

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<p>Buttressed by a $2.9 billion bailout programme from the IMF, the economy has posted a tentative recovery, but the high cost of living is still a critical issue for many voters.</p>

<h2><strong>Concerns expressed by Dissanayake's rivals</strong></h2>

<p>Dissanayake's rivals had raised fears that&nbsp;his Marxist party would scrap the IMF programme and push the country back into an economic crisis similar to the chaos of 2022.</p>

<p>A report by the news agency Reuters earlier said that the winner of the election would have to ensure that&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;sticks with the IMF programme until 2027 to get its economy on a stable&nbsp;growth path, reassure markets, repay debt, attract investors and help a quarter of its people climb out of poverty.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who grabbed an early lead in the presidential election in Sri Lanka, vowed on Sunday (Sep 22) that he would not scrap the country's unpopular four-year $2.

Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who grabbed an early lead in the presidential election in Sri Lanka, vowed on Sunday (Sep 22) that he would not scrap the country's unpopular four-year $2.9 billion IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout agreement, but instead renegotiate it. Dissanayake, 55, and his People's Liberation Front (JVP) will "not tear up" the IMF deal, party politburo member Bimal Ratnayake told the news agency AFP. Also read | Sri Lanka presidential election: Anura Kumara Dissanayake grabs early lead to become president "Our plan is to engage with the IMF and introduce certain amendments. We will not tear up the IMF programme. It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate," Ratnayake said. Alteration of bailout programme Ratnayake told AFP that Dissanayake had pledged to reduce income taxes that were doubled by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and slash sales taxes on food and medicines. "We think we can get those reductions into the programme and continue with the four-year bailout programme," the JVP politburo member further said. Sri Lanka saw its first election since the economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving the country unable to pay for imports of essentials like fuel, medicine and cooking gas. Thousands of protesters marched in Colombo in 2022 and occupied the president's office and residence, forcing then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign. Also watch | Race to Power: Who do people trust for Sri Lanka's future? × Buttressed by a $2.9 billion bailout programme from the IMF, the economy has posted a tentative recovery, but the high cost of living is still a critical issue for many voters. Concerns expressed by Dissanayake's rivals Dissanayake's rivals had raised fears that his Marxist party would scrap the IMF programme and push the country back into an economic crisis similar to the chaos of 2022. A report by the news agency Reuters earlier said that the winner of the election would have to ensure that Sri Lanka sticks with the IMF programme until 2027 to get its economy on a stable growth path, reassure markets, repay debt, attract investors and help a quarter of its people climb out of poverty. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka presidential election: Anura Kumara Dissanayake vows not to scrap IMF deal

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<p>Sri Lanka's Election Commission (EC)&nbsp;on Sunday (Sept 22) confirmed the second preference vote count in yesterday's presidential election. As per the EC, all candidates were eliminated except&nbsp;Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and opposition leader&nbsp;Sajith Premadasa.</p>

<p>This development came after Dissanayake grabbed a&nbsp;commanding early lead on Sunday to become the&nbsp;next president of the debt-ridden country seeking to elect a leader to bolster its fragile economic recovery.</p>

<p>Citing election commission data, a report by the news agency Reuters said that&nbsp;Dissanayake won about 53 per cent&nbsp;of a million votes counted so far in the election.&nbsp;Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa was second at 22 per cent, ahead of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in third place.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-close-in-sri-lankas-first-elections-since-economic-crash-760719">Polls close in Sri Lanka with 70 per cent voter turnout</a></strong></p>

<p>Dissanayake contested as a candidate for the National People's Power (NPP) alliance, which includes his Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP) party that has traditionally backed stronger state intervention, lower taxes&nbsp;and more closed market economic policies.</p>

<h2><strong>A candidate of change</strong></h2>

<p>Dissanayake, 55, has presented himself&nbsp;as a candidate of change,&nbsp;promising to dissolve parliament within 45 days of coming to power to seek a fresh mandate for his policies in the general elections.</p>

<p>Though the JVP has just three seats in Parliament, the Maxist-leaning leader&nbsp;has been boosted by his promises of tough anti-corruption measures and more pro-poor policies.</p>

<p>In a post on X, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister&nbsp;Ali Sabry said that the results of the election were clear.</p>

<p>"Though I heavily campaigned for President Ranil Wickremasinghe, the people of&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;have made their decision, and I fully respect their mandate for Anura Kumara Dissanayake," Foreign Minister Sabry said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | Race to Power:&nbsp;Who do people trust for Sri Lanka's future?</strong></p>

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<p>An opinion poll published this month showed Dissanayake was leading in voting preferences at 36 per cent, followed by Premadasa and President Wickremesinghe in third.</p>

<h2><strong>The first election since 2022</strong></h2>

<p>This was&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's first election since the economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving the country unable to pay for imports of essentials including fuel, medicine and cooking gas.</p>

<p>Thousands of protesters marched in Colombo in 2022 and occupied the president's office and residence, forcing then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign.</p>

<p>Buttressed by a $2.9 billion bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economy has posted a tentative recovery but the high cost of living was still a critical issue for many voters.</p>

<p>The winner of the election&nbsp;would have to ensure&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;sticks with the IMF programme until 2027 to get its economy on a stable growth path.</p>

<p>In his manifesto, Dissanayake pledged to slash taxes that would impact fiscal targets, leaving investors and market participants worried about his economic policies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Sri Lanka's Election Commission (EC) on Sunday (Sept 22) confirmed the second preference vote count in yesterday's presidential election. As per the EC, all candidates were eliminated except Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

Sri Lanka's Election Commission (EC) on Sunday (Sept 22) confirmed the second preference vote count in yesterday's presidential election. As per the EC, all candidates were eliminated except Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. This development came after Dissanayake grabbed a commanding early lead on Sunday to become the next president of the debt-ridden country seeking to elect a leader to bolster its fragile economic recovery. Citing election commission data, a report by the news agency Reuters said that Dissanayake won about 53 per cent of a million votes counted so far in the election. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa was second at 22 per cent, ahead of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in third place. Also read | Polls close in Sri Lanka with 70 per cent voter turnout Dissanayake contested as a candidate for the National People's Power (NPP) alliance, which includes his Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP) party that has traditionally backed stronger state intervention, lower taxes and more closed market economic policies. A candidate of change Dissanayake, 55, has presented himself as a candidate of change, promising to dissolve parliament within 45 days of coming to power to seek a fresh mandate for his policies in the general elections. Though the JVP has just three seats in Parliament, the Maxist-leaning leader has been boosted by his promises of tough anti-corruption measures and more pro-poor policies. In a post on X, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that the results of the election were clear. "Though I heavily campaigned for President Ranil Wickremasinghe, the people of Sri Lanka have made their decision, and I fully respect their mandate for Anura Kumara Dissanayake," Foreign Minister Sabry said. Also watch | Race to Power: Who do people trust for Sri Lanka's future? × An opinion poll published this month showed Dissanayake was leading in voting preferences at 36 per cent, followed by Premadasa and President Wickremesinghe in third. The first election since 2022 This was Sri Lanka's first election since the economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving the country unable to pay for imports of essentials including fuel, medicine and cooking gas. Thousands of protesters marched in Colombo in 2022 and occupied the president's office and residence, forcing then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign. Buttressed by a $2.9 billion bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economy has posted a tentative recovery but the high cost of living was still a critical issue for many voters. The winner of the election would have to ensure Sri Lanka sticks with the IMF programme until 2027 to get its economy on a stable growth path. In his manifesto, Dissanayake pledged to slash taxes that would impact fiscal targets, leaving investors and market participants worried about his economic policies. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka presidential election: All candidates eliminated except Dissanayake, Premadasa