Marxist outsider takes oath as new Sri Lanka president
The Independent|September 24, 2024
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning politician and leader of the People’s Liberation Front – JVP or Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna – has been sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president after winning the election with 42.31 per cent of the vote.
MAROOSHA MUZAFFAR
Marxist outsider takes oath as new Sri Lanka president

Yesterday, he pledged to address the country’s complex challenges, restore public confidence in politics, and tackle corruption. Mr Dissanayake, 55, led the Marxist-leaning National People’s Power coalition and secured victory over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and 36 other candidates in Saturday’s election.

He garnered 5,740,179 votes, while Mr Premadasa received 4,530,902 votes, and has pledged to work with other parties to turn around Sri Lanka’s severe economic troubles. “We have deeply understood that we are going to get a challenging country,” he said in a brief speech after assuming office on Monday. “We don’t believe that a government, a single party or an individual would be able to resolve this deep crisis.”

His victory follows a period of both political and fiscal turmoil that led to former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation amid mass protests in 2022. Mr Rajapaksa fled the country and was replaced by his prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also ran in Saturday’s election but finished a distant third.

Mr Dissanayake’s meteoric rise from securing only 3 per cent of the vote in 2019 elevates his half-century-old leftist JVP party to an unprecedented role in the political landscape of Sri Lanka, which has been completely reshaped by grassroots protests over the past two years.

He was first elected to the parliament in 2000 and briefly served as the agriculture and irrigation minister under the then president Chandrika Kumaratunga. He ran for president for the first time in 2019 but lost to Mr Rajapaksa.

Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin September 24, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin September 24, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE INDEPENDENT DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Kneecap win legal challenge over Badenoch grant block
The Independent

Kneecap win legal challenge over Badenoch grant block

Irish language rap group Kneecap have won their legal challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 30, 2024
Millions face mortgage bills hike, says Bank of England
The Independent

Millions face mortgage bills hike, says Bank of England

Roughly 4.4 million UK households could see hikes to their mortgage repayments over the next three years, the Bank of England has warned.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 30, 2024
Mauritius orders review of PM's Chagos Islands deal
The Independent

Mauritius orders review of PM's Chagos Islands deal

The new Mauritian government has ordered an independent review of the Chagos Islands agreement, The Independent understands, throwing the future of Sir Keir Starmer’s deal into even greater uncertainty.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 30, 2024
World in most danger for 40 years, MI6 chief warns
The Independent

World in most danger for 40 years, MI6 chief warns

The world is at its most dangerous point for 40 years, the head of MI6 has warned, accusing Russia of waging a \"staggeringly reckless campaign\" of sabotage in Europe to undermine support for Ukraine.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 30, 2024
Starmer has no other option but to attempt a relaunch
The Independent

Starmer has no other option but to attempt a relaunch

Louise Haigh's resignation from cabinet will mark a return to more disciplined, joined-up government, says Andrew Grice

time-read
3 dak  |
November 30, 2024
Alexander handed transport brief after Haigh resigns
The Independent

Alexander handed transport brief after Haigh resigns

Heidi Alexander has been appointed the new transport secretary following yesterday’s surprise resignation of Louise Haigh.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 30, 2024
The Independent

After MPs gave the bill their backing, what comes next?

MPs have voted to approve historic legislation that will pave the way for legalising assisted dying in England and Wales for terminally ill patients.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 30, 2024
A day of prayers, heartfelt tales and pin-drop moments
The Independent

A day of prayers, heartfelt tales and pin-drop moments

It was a mark of how earnestly MPs approached the assisted dying bill that, I can reveal, some of the most firmly secular members of the House of Commons stood up during the private morning prayers rather than, as some do, sitting down in order to bag a seat without taking part in a religious ceremony.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 30, 2024
Assisted dying bill passes second reading by 55 votes
The Independent

Assisted dying bill passes second reading by 55 votes

Result paves way for historic change in British social policy

time-read
5 dak  |
November 30, 2024
'Sometimes tears come out, you have to be an animal'
The Independent

'Sometimes tears come out, you have to be an animal'

Whether you want him to or not, 40-year-old heavyweight Derek Chisora isn’t ready to stop yet

time-read
3 dak  |
November 29, 2024