Sri Lankan President: Who Is Anura Kumara Dissanayake?
Sri Lankan Presidential Election Results
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was declared the winner of the Sri Lankan presidential election on Sunday by the country's Election Commission, following an unprecedented second round of vote counting. The 56-year-old leader, who heads the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party’s broader front, National People's Power (NPP), defeated his closest competitor, Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe was eliminated in the first round, as he failed to find a place in the top two candidates. Dissanayake will now become Sri Lanka’s 9th president.
Background of Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on November 24, 1968, in Thambuththegama. He hails from a humble background, with his father being a laborer and his mother a housewife. He attended local schools and became the first from his college to get admission to a university. Dissanayake became involved with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) during his school years, playing an active role during the 1987-1989 JVP insurrection. Initially enrolled at the University of Peradeniya, he had to leave due to security threats but later graduated from the University of Kelaniya in 1995 with a degree in physical science.
Political Ascendancy
- Dissanayake quickly rose through the JVP's ranks, becoming a prominent figure in the party's leadership.
- In 2004, he was appointed cabinet minister under President Kumaratunga, managing agriculture, livestock, land, and irrigation.
- Dissanayake succeeded Somawansa Amarasinghe as the JVP leader in 2014.
In 2019, Dissanayake ran as the party's presidential candidate, securing third place with only 3% of the vote. Known for his sharp criticism of Sri Lanka's economic policies, he has opposed the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and advocated for renegotiations to reduce taxes, such as the Pay-As-You-Earn tax and to eliminate VAT on essential items.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.