Colombo, Sep 23 (V7N)— Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the People's Liberation Front (JVP), was sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president on Monday, marking the country's return to elected leadership after over two years of political turmoil. This historic event took place at a formal ceremony in Colombo, broadcast on national television.

The Election Commission announced Dissanayake's victory late on Sunday, following Sri Lanka's presidential election held last Saturday. In a tightly contested race, no candidate initially secured the necessary 50% of the vote, prompting a second round of vote counting. Dissanayake ultimately won by more than 130,000 votes over his closest rival, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

Dissanayake, a self-professed Marxist, becomes the first leftist leader to assume Sri Lanka's highest office. He takes the reins from Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had been serving as interim president since 2022, when former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted in a popular uprising amid a severe economic crisis.

In his inauguration speech, Dissanayake pledged to restore the public's faith in politicians, acknowledging the daunting challenges that lie ahead. “I will seek the best advice and do my utmost to serve the people,” he said, adding, “I am not a magician, but I am committed to doing my best for the country.”

Sri Lanka's election featured 38 candidates, with Dissanayake and Premadasa emerging as the two leading contenders. This election was the first since the mass protests of 2022, which forced Rajapaksa from power, and represents a pivotal moment for the island nation as it seeks to recover from political instability and an economic crisis.

Dissanayake's presidency signals a new era in Sri Lankan politics, with hopes of tackling corruption and addressing the deep-rooted economic issues that have plagued the country in recent years.

END/AJ/RH