<p>Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the 10th president&nbsp;of Sri Lanka, after the first-ever election run-off of the South Asian nation on Sunday (Sep 22).</p>

<p>The leftist politician contested the election as part of the National People’s Power&nbsp;or NPP alliance. Dissanayake is the leader of the Janata Vimukti Peramuna or People's Liberation Front.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Sri Lanka Election: Anura Kumara Dissanayake Wins Mandate</strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>In the run-off, Dissanayake trounced his closest contender Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The second round of counting - a first for the nation- had to be held as no candidate secured more than 50 per cent of the votes needed to be declared the winner.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-elects-anura-kumara-dissanayaka-as-new-president-wickremesinghe-defeated-760954">Also read:&nbsp;Sri Lanka elects Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as new president</a></strong></p>

<p>The incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe was ousted in the first round itself, not having secured a position among the top two in the first round.</p>

<p>The elections held on Saturday&nbsp;were the first since the post-pandemic economic crisis and popular uprising. Dissanayake was one of the key leaders of that movement in 2022, which led to the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had to flee the country at one point.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After his historic victory, Dissanayake said in a post on X, “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."</p>

<p>"The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision. Let us join hands and shape this future together!" he added.</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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<h2><strong>Who is Dissanayake?</strong></h2>

<p>Dissanayake is&nbsp;a 55-year-old Marxist leader. His party JVP played a key role in organising and drumming up support for the anti-government protests in the wake of a loan default and massive cost of living crisis as the Sri Lankan economy collapsed.</p>

<p>He made rousing speeches during the 2022&nbsp;protests known in Sinhalese as 'Aragalaya' or struggle.</p>

<p>The protesters stormed the president's residence, eventually&nbsp;ending Rajapaksa's rule. Wickremesinghe was installed as a consensus president.</p>

<p>This is the first election in the country since those dramatic developments.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sri-lanka-polls-presidential-election-pivotal-to-economic-recovery-760905"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Sri Lanka polls: Presidential election pivotal to economic recovery</strong></a></p>

<p>Having fought on a pro-poor platform, Dissanayake's party has promised to lower the taxes, crack down on corruption, and seek a greater role for the government in running the economy.</p>

<p>AKD for his supporters, Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on 24 November 1968 in Thambuthegama village, Anuradhapura district, North Central Province.</p>

<p>Son of a labourer and a housewife, AKD joined JVP during his student politics days in 1987. He rose in party ranks, joining its politburo&nbsp;in 1995.</p>

<p>A lawmaker since 2000, Dissanayake was elected a Member of Parliament from the Colombo district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He contested the presidential election in 2019 too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He served as the agriculture minister from 2004 to 2005 and was the Opposition Whip from 2015 to 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the 10th president of Sri Lanka, after the first-ever election run-off of the South Asian nation on Sunday (Sep 22). The leftist politician contested the election as part of the National People’s Power or NPP alliance.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the 10th president of Sri Lanka, after the first-ever election run-off of the South Asian nation on Sunday (Sep 22). The leftist politician contested the election as part of the National People’s Power or NPP alliance. Dissanayake is the leader of the Janata Vimukti Peramuna or People's Liberation Front. Watch: Sri Lanka Election: Anura Kumara Dissanayake Wins Mandate × In the run-off, Dissanayake trounced his closest contender Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya. The second round of counting - a first for the nation- had to be held as no candidate secured more than 50 per cent of the votes needed to be declared the winner. Also read: Sri Lanka elects Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as new president The incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe was ousted in the first round itself, not having secured a position among the top two in the first round. The elections held on Saturday were the first since the post-pandemic economic crisis and popular uprising. Dissanayake was one of the key leaders of that movement in 2022, which led to the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had to flee the country at one point. After his historic victory, Dissanayake said in a post on X, “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." "The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of this new beginning. The New Renaissance we seek will rise from this shared strength and vision. Let us join hands and shape this future together!" he added. 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 × Who is Dissanayake? Dissanayake is a 55-year-old Marxist leader. His party JVP played a key role in organising and drumming up support for the anti-government protests in the wake of a loan default and massive cost of living crisis as the Sri Lankan economy collapsed. He made rousing speeches during the 2022 protests known in Sinhalese as 'Aragalaya' or struggle. The protesters stormed the president's residence, eventually ending Rajapaksa's rule. Wickremesinghe was installed as a consensus president. This is the first election in the country since those dramatic developments. Also read: Sri Lanka polls: Presidential election pivotal to economic recovery Having fought on a pro-poor platform, Dissanayake's party has promised to lower the taxes, crack down on corruption, and seek a greater role for the government in running the economy. AKD for his supporters, Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on 24 November 1968 in Thambuthegama village, Anuradhapura district, North Central Province. Son of a labourer and a housewife, AKD joined JVP during his student politics days in 1987. He rose in party ranks, joining its politburo in 1995. A lawmaker since 2000, Dissanayake was elected a Member of Parliament from the Colombo district. He contested the presidential election in 2019 too. He served as the agriculture minister from 2004 to 2005 and was the Opposition Whip from 2015 to 2018. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Anura Kumara Dissanayake? What you should know about Sri Lanka's new president

<p>Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on September 21 and current incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to contest as an independent. This is the first election since the turbulent years of economic instability, nationwide protests, and ouster of the Rajapaksa clan's government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here are the main things you should know about the Sri Lanka presidential elections:</p>

<h2><strong>Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2024: Dates</strong></h2>

<p>The presidential election will be held on September 21, according to Sri Lanka's election commission. Nominations will be accepted on August 15 as per a government gazette notification.</p>

<h2><strong>Ranil Wickeremesinghe to contest as independent</strong></h2>

<p>The incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the United National Party,&nbsp;will contest the election as an independent candidate. A bond has been placed for this, as per reports on Friday (July 26).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-sri-lanka-looking-at-trading-in-national-currencies-sri-lankan-minister-balasuriya-740385">India, Sri Lanka looking at trading in national currencies: Sri Lankan Minister Balasuriya</a></strong></p>

<h2>Who are the other possible candidates in Sri Lanaka presidential election?</h2>

<p>Opposition leader Sajit Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya alliance is considered the main rival for Wickeremesinghe. Sajit is the son of former president Ranasinghe Premadasa.</p>

<p>The other possible candidate is Anura Kumara Dissanayake&nbsp;of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. His Marxist-Leninist Communist party saw a revival in fortunes during the protests caused by the economic collapse in the country.</p>

<h2>Elections happening for first time since economic turmoil</h2>

<p>The last presidential elections were in 2019, which was won by Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka People's Front. Gotabaya appointed his brother, former president&nbsp;Mahinda Rajapaksa, as prime minister. Soon the economic crisis and Covid pandemic followed, and the Rajapaksa clan became deeply unpopular, also because they had installed family members in key ministerial posts.</p>

<h2>Sri Lanka's economic crisis and protests. What had really happened?</h2>

<p>Sri Lanka's economic woes started after a foreign exchange crisis, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic of 2020. The tourism sector, one of its mainstays for foreign exchange, was hit badly after the Islamic State terror attacks of 2019. That's when the pandemic also hit.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka to hold Presidential elections in Septemeber, five-week part of campaign released</strong></p>

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<p>Massive inflation followed, making essential items like&nbsp;food, petrol, cooking gas and medicinces costlier. There was shortages and long lines at the fuel pumps for weeks, and frequent and long power blackouts. This led to massive protests. The anger was directed at the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa. Gotabaya, who left the country amid public anger, resigned in 2022. Wickremesinghe, who had been made&nbsp;prime minister amid the protests, was appointed as president in a vote in parliament, as per provisions of Sri Lanka's constitution.</p>

<p>Eventually, the government declared bankruptcy in 2022, suspending loan repayments to the tune of $83 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Elections a litmus test for financial reforms of Wickremesinghe</strong></h2>

<p>Currently the nation is going through a debt restructuring process. It managed to get a four-year bailout from International Monetary Fund in March 2023 and is engaged in financial reforms.</p>

<p>A seasoned statesman and politician, Wickremesinghe, 75, had been prime minister for five times. Since assuming charge as president, Wickremesinghe renegotiated the debts to the tune of $10 billion owed to India, France, Japan and China and entered into debt restructuring agreements. This will enable Sri Lanka to defer loan instalment payments to them till 2028. Concessions have been given to the loans too, until 2043.</p>

<p>The country's economy is slowly emerging out of the doldrums, but the price it is paying through financial reforms is hurting many in the country, for instance over increase in power bills, and tax hikes for salaried individuals and businesses. The vote will decide on whether the people are standing with Wickremesinghe on the economic reforms.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How is Sri Lanka presidential election held?</h2>

<p>Presidents are chosen throgh direct franchise in Sri Lanka. In theory, Sri Lanka has a 'ranked voting' system whereby voters can mark their preferecne for candidates. But in practice, only one candidate is marked in the ballot.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on September 21 and current incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to contest as an independent. This is the first election since the turbulent years of economic instability, nationwide protests, and ouster of the Rajapaksa clan's government.

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on September 21 and current incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to contest as an independent. This is the first election since the turbulent years of economic instability, nationwide protests, and ouster of the Rajapaksa clan's government. Here are the main things you should know about the Sri Lanka presidential elections: Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2024: Dates The presidential election will be held on September 21, according to Sri Lanka's election commission. Nominations will be accepted on August 15 as per a government gazette notification. Ranil Wickeremesinghe to contest as independent The incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the United National Party, will contest the election as an independent candidate. A bond has been placed for this, as per reports on Friday (July 26). Also read | India, Sri Lanka looking at trading in national currencies: Sri Lankan Minister Balasuriya Who are the other possible candidates in Sri Lanaka presidential election? Opposition leader Sajit Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya alliance is considered the main rival for Wickeremesinghe. Sajit is the son of former president Ranasinghe Premadasa. The other possible candidate is Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. His Marxist-Leninist Communist party saw a revival in fortunes during the protests caused by the economic collapse in the country. Elections happening for first time since economic turmoil The last presidential elections were in 2019, which was won by Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka People's Front. Gotabaya appointed his brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, as prime minister. Soon the economic crisis and Covid pandemic followed, and the Rajapaksa clan became deeply unpopular, also because they had installed family members in key ministerial posts. Sri Lanka's economic crisis and protests. What had really happened? Sri Lanka's economic woes started after a foreign exchange crisis, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic of 2020. The tourism sector, one of its mainstays for foreign exchange, was hit badly after the Islamic State terror attacks of 2019. That's when the pandemic also hit. Also watch | Sri Lanka to hold Presidential elections in Septemeber, five-week part of campaign released × Massive inflation followed, making essential items like food, petrol, cooking gas and medicinces costlier. There was shortages and long lines at the fuel pumps for weeks, and frequent and long power blackouts. This led to massive protests. The anger was directed at the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa. Gotabaya, who left the country amid public anger, resigned in 2022. Wickremesinghe, who had been made prime minister amid the protests, was appointed as president in a vote in parliament, as per provisions of Sri Lanka's constitution. Eventually, the government declared bankruptcy in 2022, suspending loan repayments to the tune of $83 billion. Elections a litmus test for financial reforms of Wickremesinghe Currently the nation is going through a debt restructuring process. It managed to get a four-year bailout from International Monetary Fund in March 2023 and is engaged in financial reforms. A seasoned statesman and politician, Wickremesinghe, 75, had been prime minister for five times. Since assuming charge as president, Wickremesinghe renegotiated the debts to the tune of $10 billion owed to India, France, Japan and China and entered into debt restructuring agreements. This will enable Sri Lanka to defer loan instalment payments to them till 2028. Concessions have been given to the loans too, until 2043. The country's economy is slowly emerging out of the doldrums, but the price it is paying through financial reforms is hurting many in the country, for instance over increase in power bills, and tax hikes for salaried individuals and businesses. The vote will decide on whether the people are standing with Wickremesinghe on the economic reforms. How is Sri Lanka presidential election held? Presidents are chosen throgh direct franchise in Sri Lanka. In theory, Sri Lanka has a 'ranked voting' system whereby voters can mark their preferecne for candidates. But in practice, only one candidate is marked in the ballot. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka presidential election on Sep 21: Ranil Wickremesinghe to fight as independent. What we know

WION in an exclusive conversation spoke to Sri Lanka's Ex-leader of opposition Sajith Premadasa on the current situation of pandemic COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.

Exclusive: Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanks's Ex-leader of oppn speaks on current COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka

WION in an exclusive conversation spoke to Sri Lanka's Ex-leader of opposition Sajith Premadasa on - what Sri Lanka at this point wants from the World Health Organization.

WION exclusive conversation with Sri Lanka's Ex-leader of opposition Sajith Premadasa

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