Colombo, Sri Lanka – Dilshan Jayasanka, a former restaurant floor manager, views Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s victory as Sri Lanka’s first Marxist-leaning president as the start of a new era for the country. Jayasanka was part of the protests in 2022 that aimed to remove President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government amid the worst economic crisis since independence. Displaced by financial ruin, Jayasanka became a part of the Aragalaya movement and sees Dissanayake’s win as a positive step towards a better Sri Lanka.
Dissanayake’s appointment of Harini Amarasuriya as the country’s first female prime minister was also well-received by Jayasanka and others who had participated in the struggle. The dissolution of parliament and announcement of new elections by Dissanayake aims to consolidate power and bring about change after his election victory.
The victory of Dissanayake, associated with the JVP party, has brought hope for system change and unity in a nation still scarred by a bloody civil war. The new president’s focus on clean politics and economic reforms has resonated with the people, but some minority communities like the Tamils feel their issues have not been addressed. Despite concerns, many see Dissanayake’s victory as a break from the traditional elite, with hopes for a better future for all Sri Lankans.
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