Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake sworn in as the new Sri Lanka President
Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake took oath as Sri Lanka’s President on Monday, a week after securing victory in the nation’s presidential election.
The 55-year-old leader of the socialist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party and alliance won 42.5% votes on promises of tackling corruption and reform.
Addressing the media after being sworn in at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Dissanayake acknowledged the immense challenges facing Sri Lanka. However, he assured of working hard to realize people’s hopes and gain their confidence.
Dissanayake entered politics as a JVP student leader during Sri Lanka’s black decades of violence in the 1970s-80s. He has credited a teacher with saving his life from pro-government death squads.
Though the JVP remained on the fringes securing less than 4% votes in 2020, Dissanayake rode the anti-incumbency against Ranil Wickremesinghe who replaced Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 turmoil.
Rajapaksa was forced to flee amid the economic collapse, which has since stabilized with IMF support. However, Sri Lankans faced severe hardship due to austerity, influencing the polls.
While paying homage to Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, Dissanayake has softened his stance, voicing openness to privatization and reforms for development.
