Mon Sep 23 14:11:01 UTC 2024: ## Marxist Leader Dissanayake Sworn in as Sri Lanka’s President, Vowing to Tackle Economic Crisis

**COLOMBO, Sri Lanka** – Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a veteran Marxist politician, was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s president on Monday, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power coalition, secured victory in Saturday’s election, defeating opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and 36 other candidates.

The election was seen as a rejection of the old guard, blamed for leading the country into its worst economic crisis in history. Dissanayake, known for his Marxist leanings, received over 5.7 million votes, highlighting a public desire for change.

In his inaugural speech, the new president acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need for collaboration to overcome the crisis. “We have deeply understood that we are going to get a challenging country,” Dissanayake said. “We don’t believe that a government, a single party or an individual would be able to resolve this deep crisis.”

The country’s economic woes stem from excessive borrowing, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and misguided economic policies that led to severe shortages of essential goods in 2022. These shortages sparked mass protests, forcing former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign.

Dissanayake’s first major challenge will be to address the austerity measures imposed by his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, as part of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout agreement. Dissanayake campaigned on easing these measures, but any major changes could delay the release of crucial IMF funds.

The newly elected president will now appoint a prime minister and cabinet, forming a government tasked with navigating the country out of its economic crisis. The election results and the swearing-in of Dissanayake mark a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s history, one that will see a Marxist leader at the helm of the nation as it confronts its economic woes.

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