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Leftist Outsider Dissanayake Wins Sri Lankan Presidential Election

Leftist Outsider Dissanayake Wins Sri Lankan Presidential Election

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a leftist outsider, won Sri Lanka's presidential election, marking a seismic shift in the nation's political landscape. Dissanayake, 55, led the National People’s Power (NPP) alliance, which has never held power. His victory reflects public anger over corruption and economic hardship, sparked by a 2022 crisis.

Dissanayake pledged to renegotiate IMF bailout terms to ease the burden on impoverished Sri Lankans. His win contrasts sharply with previous poor showings; in 2019, he garnered just 3% of the vote.

The election saw a second-round runoff, a first in Sri Lanka's history. Dissanayake secured 42.31% in the first round, leading to a final count against Sajith Premadasa, the parliamentary opposition leader.

The campaign was notably peaceful, a departure from past violence. Dissanayake's success stems from the NPP's long-term strategy to tap into antiestablishment sentiment. Analysts credit his win to grassroots organizing and a novel political blueprint.

Dissanayake's victory underscores a broader trend of antiestablishment forces gaining traction globally. His rise from humble beginnings to the presidency symbolizes a profound shift in Sri Lankan's political dynamics.

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