Sri Lanka

2024 - 9 - 23

Sri Lanka's New President: Will He Be the Economic Superhero or Just a Sidekick?

Anura Kumara Dissanayake - Corruption - Economic Crisis - IMF - Marxism - Political Change - Sri Lanka

Meet Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's newly elected president promising to save the day in an economy in crisis!

Sri Lanka has sworn in a new leader, and he comes armed with a manifesto seemingly straight out of a superhero comic book! Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a leftist politician and leader of the Marxist coalition, won the hearts of millions during Saturday's elections, with voters eager to see a change after years of corruption and economic distress. His election is particularly astonishing as it marks a shift from the previous administration that was swallowed by mounting protest waves and public dissatisfaction, leading to former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the nation with a less-than-stellar reputation.

Dissanayake's rise to power comes during a defining moment for the country, especially following the economic meltdown that triggered mass upheaval earlier this year. As he took the oath of office, he vowed to heed the best advice for rekindling confidence among crumbling markets and closing the door on graft. The dawn of his presidency gleams with the promise of a cleaner political climate, but will this transformation come with the speed of a speeding bullet or be more like the slow and steady tortoise?

While the voters rejoiced at having a president who’s all about nurturing trust and transparency, they remain cautiously optimistic. What’s next for the economics of paradise? Dissanayake has committed to battling corruption, fortifying the shaky economic framework, and courting international partners to help Singapore style – sleek, efficient, and perhaps a little more than just mechanistic.

Yet, being pragmatic is just as essential as the idealism that has fueled his support. Many wonder whether the newly minted president can successfully navigate the fine line between lofty promises and practicalities that no superhero, not even him, can't avoid facing. In the background, China, Sri Lanka's largest creditor, is already stepping up to extend an olive branch, expressing willingness for constructive collaboration – a subplot to watch closely!

**Did You Know?** The economic upheaval in Sri Lanka has led to significant inflation, spiraling the cost of living and prompting loud protests. Interestingly, this is not the first time a Marxist has taken a leadership position in South Asia, as similar ideologies have had various degrees of success in the vicinity!

**Fun Fact!** Anura Kumara Dissanayake is not just a politician, but an avid advocate for social change. He has also been hailed as a charismatic speaker capable of rallying masses - let’s see if his powers translate to positive progress for the country!

New Sri Lanka president needs to balance campaign promises with ... (CNA)

Observers noted Dissanayake's election victory came as no surprise, as voters punished the previous government over years of corruption and economic ...

Anura Kumara Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lanka's president (BBC News)

Saturday's election was the first since 2022, when discontent over the economy fuelled mass protests and chased former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa from power.

Sri Lanka's new president Dissanayake promises change (The Straits Times)

Millions voted for leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, putting faith in his graft-fighting pledge and vow to bolster a fragile economic recovery.

Sri Lanka swears in leftist election winner as president amid ... (Financial Times)

Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledges to 'heed the best advice' after years of economic mismanagement.

Sri Lanka's new president Anura Kumara Dissanayake promises ... (Reuters)

New president Dissanayake takes oath · Prime Minister Gunawardena resigns · China, largest bilateral creditor, says it's willing to play constructive role.

Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lanka's president (ABC News)

Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka's president on Monday after an election that saw voters reject an old guard accused of ...

Anwar congratulates Sri Lanka's new President, reaffirms ... (The Star Online)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as Sri Lanka's new President and expressed ...

Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lanka's president (Squamish Chief)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka's president on Monday after an election that saw voters ...

Sri Lanka's new president promises 'cleaner' politics (Nikkei Asia)

COLOMBO (Reuters) -- Sri Lankan leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office as president on Monday, promising change in a nation long led by powerful.

After Economic Crisis, Sri Lanka Swears In Marxist President Anura ... (TIME)

Voters backed Marxist coalition leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, rejecting an old guard accused of leading the country into economic crisis.

What are the key challenges for Sri Lanka President Dissanayake? (The Straits Times)

COLOMBO - Sri Lankans have elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the country's new president, giving the Marxist-leaning politician a key role in deciding the ...

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: who is Sri Lanka's new leftist president? (The Guardian)

JVP leader has positioned himself as opposite to political elites but not all have greeted his win with optimism.

Sri Lanka election: Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake becomes ... (The Associated Press)

Marxist leader Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka's president after an election that saw voters reject an old guard accused of leading the country into ...

Marxist-leaning Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's election: What's next? (Aljazeera.com)

From an IMF deal he wants to renegotiate to parliamentary elections, president-elect faces key challenges.

Who is Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's new Marxist ... (Bay to Bay News)

FILE -Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake waves as he leaves from the election commission office after winning Sri Lankan presidential election, ...

An upset in Sri Lanka propels an outsider into power (The Economist)

All this helps explain the victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, an outsider from a party with Marxist and insurgent roots, in a presidential election on ...

Sri Lankans throw out old guard in election upset: What nation's new ... (The Conversation AU)

Anura Kumara Dissanayake touted his victory as a 'fresh start' for the South Asian nation, two years after it came to the brink of economic collapse.

Dissanayake's push for Sri Lanka economic change leaves IMF deal ... (The Straits Times)

COLOMBO/LONDON - Sri Lanka's new president won the election decisively, but his toughest task still lies ahead as he seeks to balance promises to aid the ...

Dissanayake's push for Sri Lanka economic change leaves IMF deal ... (The Business Times)

Sri Lanka's new president won the election decisively, but his toughest task still lies ahead as he seeks to balance promises to aid the nation's poor ...

Sri Lanka dollar bonds tumble on post-election IMF, debt rework woes (Reuters Australia)

Sri Lankan dollar bonds fell sharply on Monday as investors worry an election win by Anura Kumara Dissanayake could see him revisit the terms of the ...

Xi congratulates Dissanayake on assuming presidency of Sri Lanka (The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Anura Kumara Dissanayake to congratulate him on his inauguration as president of the Democratic ...