Sri Lanka has a new president in the form of Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was sworn in following an election that rejected the old political establishment blamed for the country’s economic crisis. Dissanayake, 55, won by running as the head of the Marxist-leaning National People’s Power coalition, defeating 36 other candidates including opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.
In his inauguration speech, Dissanayake pledged to work with others to tackle the country’s challenges, acknowledging the deep crisis at hand. The election took place as Sri Lanka seeks to recover from its worst economic crisis, leading to political upheaval.
Dissanayake’s coalition, led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, also includes groups representing academics, civil society movements, artists, lawyers, and students. His first major challenge will be to ease the austerity measures imposed by his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, under an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
The economic crisis stemmed from excessive borrowing, the impact of COVID-19, and government decisions that strained foreign reserves. Dissanayake now steps into the role as the ninth president of Sri Lanka, tasked with navigating the country through tumultuous times.