Picture : ANI/ X
Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s ninth president amid hopes that he will bolster the country’s economy and eliminate corruption. Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.
Dissanayake took to X and wrote , This morning (23rd), I took oath as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat. I promise to fulfill your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance for this country, and I look forward to your collective contribution to that.
This morning (23rd), I took oath as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.
I promise to fulfill your responsibility to usher in a new era of Renaissance… pic.twitter.com/TFJuyh9SbC
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) September 23, 2024
Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake rose from a humble background to the pinnacle of leadership in Sri Lanka, presenting himself as a transformative leader to young voters and those tired of the “corrupt politics” of the traditional politicians.
Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party’s broader front National People’s Power (NPP), defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in Saturday’s election.
His accession to the post is a remarkable turnaround for his half-century-old party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which had long remained on the margins. He is Sri Lanka’s first-ever Marxist party leader to become head of state.
In his inaugural address to the nation, Dissanayake thanked his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe for respecting the people’s mandate and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power. He vowed to preserve democracy and do everything to clean public life.
Soon wishes poured in , Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake soon after he was sworn in.
India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tweeted on X
Congratulations @anuradisanayake, on your victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections. Sri Lanka holds a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024
Rahul Gandhi, Leader Of Opposition, Lok Sabha
Congratulations and best wishes to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected as the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
May our countries continue to work together towards mutual growth and progress.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 23, 2024
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
On the behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
India and Sri Lanka have a rich legacy of multifaceted cooperation and…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 23, 2024
