Sun Sep 22 21:10:46 UTC 2024: ## Anura Kumara Dissanayake Elected as Sri Lanka’s Ninth President

**Colombo, Sri Lanka** – Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power coalition, has been elected as Sri Lanka’s ninth President, securing a decisive victory despite not reaching the 50%+1 vote threshold. Dissanayake garnered 1.3 million more votes than his closest rival, Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

This win marks a significant milestone for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Dissanayake’s party, which has long advocated for social and economic change. Despite facing past setbacks and currently holding only three parliamentary seats, the JVP’s perseverance has been evident in Dissanayake’s campaign, which focused on tackling corruption and addressing economic woes.

The election saw the introduction of second preference votes for the first time in Sri Lankan history, a crucial step in the electoral process after neither candidate reached the 50%+1 threshold. While there was initial confusion regarding the second preference voting system, the election proceeded smoothly without any violence.

Dissanayake’s victory comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and economic instability in Sri Lanka. He faces the daunting task of leading the nation through these challenges, promising a renewed focus on social justice and economic empowerment.

**Reactions to the Election:**

* Former Minister and SJB leader Champika Ranawaka expressed a sobering sentiment, highlighting that 58% of the electorate voted against Dissanayake.
* The JVP has pledged to begin governing as soon as possible.
* Former Minister Harsha de Silva of the SJB conceded defeat, wishing Dissanayake well.
* Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry congratulated the newly elected President, emphasizing the importance of respecting the will of the people.

**Tamil Aspirations and the Election:**

Tamil candidate P. Ariyanethiran, aiming to bring attention to the lack of political solutions for the Tamil community, secured only 1.7% of the votes. However, his candidacy caused a rift within the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), potentially leading to a party split.

Dissanayake’s lack of clear plans to address Tamil concerns and the JVP’s history of Sinhala-Buddhist rhetoric have raised concerns among the Tamil community.

This historic election has marked a significant shift in Sri Lankan politics, with Dissanayake promising a new era of governance focused on social justice and economic stability. However, the challenges ahead are vast, and the path towards a united and prosperous Sri Lanka remains uncertain.

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