Sri Lanka's new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has taken office, vowing to promote "clean" politics as the country works to recover from its severe economic crisis.
In his inauguration speech, the 55-year-old leader, often referred to as AKD, emphasized the need for a new political culture. "We need to establish a new clean political culture," he said. "I commit to achieving this and will do everything possible to regain the people's respect for our political system."
Dissanayake's supporters celebrated his victory on the streets of Colombo, expressing their hopes for change. He reminded citizens that "democracy doesn’t end with appointing a leader," pledging to strengthen democratic values. "I have said before that I am not a magician—I am an ordinary citizen. My goal is to gather skilled individuals to help lift this country."
During the ceremony, he received blessings from Buddhist leaders, with representatives from Sri Lanka’s diverse religions, including Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity, present. Dissanayake stressed the importance of unity among all communities, stating, "The unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the foundation of this new beginning."
Campaigning on a platform of good governance and anti-corruption measures, Dissanayake has outlined plans to boost Sri Lanka's manufacturing, agriculture, and IT sectors. He aims to continue the partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the ongoing economic challenges while minimizing the impact of austerity measures on the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
Prior to Dissanayake's swearing-in, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned, allowing for a parliamentary dissolution. Dissanayake indicated that he would seek to dissolve the parliament shortly after taking office, believing it no longer reflected the will of the people.
The election was notable for its competitiveness, as Dissanayake needed a second round to secure his win, amassing a total of 5,740,179 votes. His main opponent, Sajith Premadasa, garnered 4,530,902 votes, while outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe received 2,299,767 votes in the first round.
Wickremesinghe congratulated Dissanayake, expressing his confidence in the new president's leadership for the future of Sri Lanka. This election has been described as one of the closest in the country’s history, breaking the trend where winners had previously emerged in the first round since 1982.
Dissanayake's commitment to an anti-corruption agenda has resonated with voters, particularly in the wake of the economic turmoil that sparked widespread protests in 2022. The crisis had seen Sri Lanka's foreign reserves plummet, crippling essential imports and leading to soaring inflation and public debt.
As Dissanayake takes office, he faces the daunting tasks of revitalizing the economy and addressing poverty, with many citizens looking to him for hope and change.
Who is Anura Kumara Dissanayake? Meet Sri Lanka’s New President
Sri Lanka Holds First Election Since Economic Collapse Amid Growing Discontent
Sri Lanka's Presidential Elections: Meet the Five Key Candidates