'Understand the complex task': Leftist Dissanayake sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president

Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in on Monday as the president of Sri Lanka, a day after the island country's election commission announced his victory in presidential elections.

Dissanayake defeated incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had been appointed by parliament to take over as president during the height of Sri Lanka's 2022 economic collapse, and had imposed tough austerity policies. 

Speaking after his oath ceremony in Columbo, Dissanayake said that he will "understand the complex task ahead and will work to meet the aspirations of people."

"I will work to inspire confidence of the people who did not vote for me," he added.

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

Who did Dissanayake defeat in the elections?

The 55-year-old leader of a once-marginal Marxist party beat 38 other candidates in the presidential elections.

He defeated Sajith Premadasa, the opposition leader by 1.27 million votes and became the ninth person to hold Sri Lanka's powerful executive presidency.

Premadasa is the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was assassinated in office.

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe finished third in the race for the presidential post.