Anura Kumara Dissanayaka was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president on Monday, becoming the country’s first leftist leader amid a deepening economic crisis. Taking his oath at the historic Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Dissanayaka emphasized the need for collective effort to address the challenges facing the nation.
Dissanayaka, a 55-year-old member of the People’s Liberation Front (JVP), won a decisive election victory over the weekend. His rise comes in the wake of an unprecedented economic downturn in 2022, which saw widespread shortages of food, fuel, and medicine following the government’s first foreign debt default.
“I am not a conjuror, I am not a magician, I am a common citizen,” he stated during the nationally televised ceremony attended by diplomats, lawmakers, clergy, and military officials. He acknowledged his limitations and committed to working towards resolving the ongoing crisis.
Dissanayaka succeeds Ranil Wickremesinghe, who faced significant backlash for implementing austerity measures as part of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. Although these measures helped stabilize the economy, they left many citizens struggling to meet their basic needs. Shortly before Dissanayaka’s inauguration, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned, allowing Dissanayaka to form his own cabinet.
His administration aims to be interim until new parliamentary elections can be held, despite the JVP currently holding only three seats in the 225-member legislature. Dissanayaka has softened some of his party’s historical stances, expressing support for an open economy and a willingness to modify the IMF agreement to include tax cuts.
In light of Sri Lanka’s geopolitical context, Dissanayaka has sought international cooperation to rebuild the economy. He stated, “We are not a nation that should be isolated,” calling for collaboration with other nations to benefit Sri Lanka.
India and China, two key players in the region, have expressed willingness to work with the new administration. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping both extended their congratulations and highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations.
Dissanayaka’s JVP has a complicated history, having led violent uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s that resulted in significant loss of life. However, he has distanced himself from this legacy, positioning himself as a reformer dedicated to eradicating corruption from the political landscape.
Notably, Dissanayaka was elected with just over 42% of the popular vote, marking the lowest percentage for a Sri Lankan president since elections began in 1988. Acknowledging the composition of his mandate, he stated, “It is my responsibility to earn the support and confidence of those who did not vote for me or place their trust in me.”
As Sri Lanka navigates its ongoing economic challenges, Dissanayaka’s leadership will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as he strives to restore public trust and revitalize the economy without offering any “magic solutions.”
