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By Shamim Chowdhury
Content Reporter
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Prominent Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was inaugurated as Sri Lanka's President on Monday.
In a significant political shift, voters decisively rejected the previous government, which they blame for plunging the country into economic crisis.
The 55-year-old head of the National People's Power coalition emerged victorious over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and 36 other candidates, securing 5,740,179 votes compared to Premadasa's 4,530,902.
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Chinese president Xi Jinping was quick to congratulate Dissanayake on his victory, saying he looks forward to working together "to jointly carry forward our traditional friendship."
In his inaugural address, Dissanayake acknowledged the daunting challenges ahead.
"We have deeply understood that we are going to get a challenging country," he said, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts. "We don't believe that a government, a single party, or an individual would be able to resolve this deep crisis."
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His swearing-in followed the resignation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, paving the way for Dissanayake to appoint a new prime minister and cabinet.
The transition comes as Sri Lanka grapples with a severe economic crisis, marked by political unrest and public discontent.
Dissanayake is the ninth person to hold the executive presidency, a position established in 1978 that has expanded in authority over the decades.
His National People's Power coalition, mainly made up of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist party known for its two failed armed insurrections in the late 20th century, has historically been in opposition since transitioning to democratic politics in 1994, although it has supported various administrations.
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The coalition also includes diverse groups representing academics, civil society, artists, lawyers, and students, reflecting a broad base of support.
Dissanayake's political career began in 2000, when he was first elected to Parliament and briefly served as agriculture and irrigation minister under former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
His presidential bid in 2019 ended in defeat against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who later resigned amid widespread protests fueled by the economic crisis.
Now, Dissanayake faces the immediate challenge of delivering on his campaign promise to alleviate the severe austerity measures instituted by his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, as part of a relief agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Wickremesinghe has cautioned that any significant alteration to this agreement could jeopardize the release of nearly $3 billion in vital financial aid.
The ongoing crisis has its roots in excessive borrowing for unproductive projects, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and mismanagement of foreign reserves. It led to widespread shortages of essential goods and triggered protests that ultimately forced Rajapaksa to flee the country.
As Dissanayake embarks on this new chapter, his administration's challenge will be to navigate the tumultuous waters of Sri Lanka's political and economic landscape that have come to define it in recent times.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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