Nation places faith in Anura Kumara Dissanayake to combat corruption and fortify a delicate economy following the most severe financial crisis in decades.
In a historic turn of events, Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been proclaimed the winner of the presidential election, according to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka.
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disanayake presidency will fill two voids
The state of the economy played a central role in the election, with Dissanayake promising welfare measures to enhance the people’s lives. He has been vocal against the austerity measures imposed as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure loans, vowing to renegotiate the terms of the deal.
Nishan de Mel, executive director of the Verite Research think tank, shared with Al Jazeera that a Dissanayake presidency will fill two critical voids in the country’s politics.
“Firstly, the political void created by the complete loss of faith in the Rajapaksa family, which has held the presidency or prime minister position for about 15 years,” he stated.
“Secondly, the political void created in centre-left politics when the Rajapaksas veered the previous centre-left political bloc towards right-wing policies,” de Mel added.
Voters responded well to Dissanayake’s messaging because he promised to “radically root out the culture of corruption” in the nation. The electorate, who have seen numerous political leaders perpetuate corruption over the past few decades, felt the traditional leaders could no longer be trusted to rescue Sri Lanka from this predicament. A candidate outside this historical narrative, offering hope of change and a genuine commitment to eradicating corruption, was immensely appealing.
election outcomes
overall results
| Candidate | Percentage of Vote |
|---|---|
| Anura Kumara Dissanayake | 42.31% |
| Sajith Premadasa | 32.76% |
| Ranil Wickremesinghe | 17.27% |
The Marxist-leaning Dissanayake, aged 55, and leader of the People’s Liberation Front alliance, secured the presidency with 42.31 percent of the vote in Saturday’s election, announced the commission on Sunday.
Trailing behind, the opposition leader Sajith Premadasa garnered 32.76 percent of the vote.
Outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who assumed office during the 2022 economic collapse and enforced stringent austerity measures in line with an IMF bailout, received merely 17.27 percent of the votes. Despite this, he is yet to concede, though Foreign Minister Ali Sabry acknowledged Dissanayaka’s clear victory.
voting and security
About 76 percent of the 17.1 million eligible voters in Sri Lanka turned out for the polls on Saturday. To ensure security, thousands of police officers were deployed, and a temporary curfew was imposed post-polling. Remarkably, police reported no incidents of violence during or after the ballot.
Dissanayake is expected to be sworn in as the new president on Monday at the colonial-era President Secretariat in Colombo, according to election commission officials.
new leadership energy
From Colombo, Al Jazeera’s [Minelle Fernandez](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/22/anura-kumara-dissanayake-wins-sri-lanka-presidency-on-anti-corruption-pledge) described Dissanayake as bringing “a certain kind of vitality and charisma” to the presidency. She noted his decisive and confident promises, capturing the public’s hopes. “There was a palpable energy as he entered a room,” she remarked, referencing his campaign.
With 20 years in parliament, Dissanayake has seen firsthand how the political game operates. However, he claims to bring a renewed spirit that under his leadership would initiate a new wave of change.
addressing the past
Current President Wickremesinghe helped navigate the heavily indebted nation through its fragile economic recovery from the 2022 crisis. Yet, his inability to tackle the cost-of-living crisis turned voters away. His close ties with the Rajapaksa family, who have been widely blamed for the economic debacle, also likely diminished his appeal.
Dissanayake seized the economic crisis as a chance to transform the island’s “corrupt” political landscape. After casting his ballot on Saturday, he declared, “Our country needs a new political culture.”
Sri Lanka’s economic turmoil opened a window for Dissanayake to advocate for a break away from entrenched corruption. As he steps into his new role, many will look to him to fulfill his pledges and bring about the long-awaited change.
