By: Isuru Parakrama
September 23, Colombo (LNW): Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), is set to be inaugurated today (23) as Sri Lanka’s 9th Executive President.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, with Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya officiating the historic event.
Dissanayake’s rise to the presidency follows a closely watched election that extended into a second round of counting, marking a rare occurrence in the nation’s electoral history.
In a dramatic contest, the 55-year-old leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) successfully outpaced opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, while incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe finished third in the race.
Election Commission data revealed Dissanayake secured a total of 5,740,179 votes, while Premadasa garnered 4,530,902 votes.
The outcome underscores a significant shift in political dynamics, as Dissanayake’s message of reform and change resonated with millions of Sri Lankans amid the country’s complex economic and social challenges.
Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to his supporters:
“This achievement is not the result of any single person’s work, but the collective effort of hundreds of thousands of you. Your commitment has brought us this far, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This victory belongs to all of us.” He went on to say, “The millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history.”
Dissanayake’s victory represents a shift in Sri Lankan politics, as his NPP-led coalition has captured the imagination of voters eager for structural reforms, economic revival, and stronger governance.
The campaign promised a departure from traditional political establishments, focusing on inclusivity, anti-corruption efforts, and the revitalisation of public services.
