Marxist Dissanayake Wins Sri Lankan Presidential Election

Sept. 22 — Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist politician, has emerged victorious in Sri Lanka’s presidential election after a significant second ballot count. His win marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape.

In a message to the nation, Dissanayake, aged 55, expressed gratitude, stating, “This victory belongs to us all.” His sentiment underscores the collective effort that has propelled him into office.

Dissanayake secured 42.31% of the vote, defeating his closest opponent, Sajith Premadasa, who received 32.76%. The election saw no candidate achieve the necessary majority, prompting a second count. In total, Dissanayake received 5,740,179 votes compared to Premadasa’s 4,530,902, as reported by the election commission.

Sri Lanka utilizes a ranked-choice voting system, which necessitates a follow-up count if no candidate surpasses the 50% threshold. This framework played a critical role in the election’s outcome.

The incumbent president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, ran as an independent candidate. Notably, he is the first sitting president to seek re-election since Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015. After Dissanayake’s victory was announced, Wickremesinghe commented on his tenure, saying, “I successfully completed the responsibility that history put on my shoulders. I was able to rescue my motherland from bankruptcy within a short period of two years.”

Dissanayake’s election reflects Sri Lanka’s shift towards leftist policies. His campaign was centered around promises of good governance and a firm stance against corruption, resonating with a populace grappling with economic distress.

This election was particularly significant as it was Sri Lanka’s first since the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022, which followed widespread protests triggered by a severe economic crisis.

“The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true,” Dissanayake remarked. “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.”

Looking forward, Dissanayake has laid out plans to bolster the manufacturing, agriculture, and IT sectors. He intends to uphold commitments made with the International Monetary Fund aimed at aiding the country’s economic recovery, while also ensuring that austerity measures do not heavily burden the most vulnerable citizens.

According to election officials, approximately 76% of Sri Lanka’s 17 million registered voters participated in the election, marking a significant turnout that underscores the public’s engagement in the democratic process.