Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist movement in Sri Lanka, has emerged victorious in the presidential election, unseating incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking a significant milestone for the country’s communist political movement.

Voters expressed their desire for a new political path, and the election results represent a substantial political shift in a country still reeling from economic turmoil. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) party, won with 42.31% of the vote, according to Sri Lanka’s Election Commission. The election saw an unprecedented turnout of almost 80%, with over 13.6 million ballots cast. His victory was confirmed after a count of second-preference votes, a mechanism used in the absence of a clear majority in the first round.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s closest competitor, Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), garnered 32.76% of the vote. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had led the country through a severe economic crisis, got only 17.27% votes, placing a distant third. This marked a sharp decline in support for the incumbent president, who had implemented unpopular austerity measures during his tenure.

The election was historic in several respects, particularly for its use of second-preference vote counting after no candidate secured more than 50% of the first-preference ballots. The second-preference vote count ultimately reinforced Dissanayake’s lead, which he had built during the first round of voting.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s campaign tapped into widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economy, particularly following Sri Lanka’s debt default in 2022. The country had been dealing with rampant inflation, shortages of essential goods, and soaring public discontent as the economic crisis intensified. Wickremesinghe’s administration, which took office in the aftermath of mass protests, imposed strict austerity measures as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), sparking further discontent among Sri Lankans.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, however, has pledged to renegotiate the terms of the IMF agreement, while stopping short of completely rejecting it. He has also called for an overhaul of the country’s political culture, which he blames for the endemic corruption and mismanagement that exacerbated Sri Lanka’s economic woes.

“We need to chart a new course for Sri Lanka—one that puts the needs of the people first”

Anura Kumara Dissanayake 

His party has made significant gains since the last elections in 2020, fueled by public anger at the government’s handling of the economy.

Though Wickremesinghe has not yet formally conceded defeat, his supporters have acknowledged Dissanayake’s victory.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said on social media, “The people of Sri Lanka have made their decision, and I fully respect their mandate for Anura Kumara Dissanayake.”

Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s win signifies a major shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, with his once marginal Marxist movement now at the forefront of the country’s leadership. His presidency will likely face immediate challenges, especially in addressing the economic crisis and navigating the IMF negotiations and how he will handle the microcosm of foreign relations with India and China.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s presidency is likely to bring a changes in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, which had been focused on balancing relations with China, India, and the West under previous administrations. While Dissanayake has not fully outlined a new foreign policy framework, he has emphasized reducing foreign dependency and fostering stronger regional ties, particularly with India and South Asia.

Additionally, his government will likely renegotiate the terms of international agreements, such as the IMF deal, to reflect more favorable conditions for the country. His anti-corruption stance could also improve relations with Western nations that prioritize transparency and good governance.

However, his victory signals that the electorate is ready for change and a new direction.