Anura Kumara Dissanayake, affectionately known as AKD, was elected as Sri Lanka’s president on Sunday, September 22, 2024, following a closely contested second-round runoff.
This election marked a significant political moment, being the first since the civil unrest of 2022 that forced former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and flee the country amid widespread dissatisfaction over the economic crisis he is largely blamed for.
The 55-year-old Dissanayake triumphed over opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who assumed office two years ago during a period of severe economic turmoil.
Dissanayake garnered 5,740,179 votes, while Premadasa secured 4,530,902, according to the Election Commission's data.
This victory is particularly noteworthy given Dissanayake's dismal performance in the 2019 elections, where he captured a mere 3% of the votes.
Dissanayake’s rise is a remarkable political turnaround, placing him at the helm of a nation desperate for change and recovery. He will inherit the challenge of steering a country still grappling with the aftershocks of economic collapse.
Early Life and Education
Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on November 24, 1968, in the small village of Dewahuwa, Matale.
The second child of Ranbanda and Seelawathi, Dissanayake’s formative years were spent in the backdrop of political engagement.
He received his primary education at Thambuttegama Primary School before attending Thambuttegama Central College for secondary schooling.
Dissanayake's political involvement began early; he was an active student protester against the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987. In 1992, he enrolled at the University of Kelaniya, where his engagement in social and political causes intensified, culminating in a Bachelor’s degree in Science in 1995.
Political Career
Dissanayake's political career took off as he joined the Socialist Students' Union, affiliated with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the National Organizer of the union and later joining the JVP's Central Committee in 1997. By 1998, he was a member of the JVP's Political Bureau.
His first foray into electoral politics came in the 1999 Provincial Council elections, where he was the JVP's candidate for Chief Minister of the Central Province. He entered Parliament for the first time in 2000 via the National List and was re-elected in 2004 from the Kurunegala District.
During the United People's Freedom Alliance government in 2004, Dissanayake held the portfolio of Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Irrigation, and Livestock, implementing significant reforms in these sectors.
By 2008, he was leading the JVP's parliamentary group and continued to gain traction, being re-elected through the Democratic National Alliance's National List in 2010.
In 2014, he became the leader of the JVP during its 7th National Convention, a pivotal moment in the party's trajectory. Dissanayake was subsequently elected as a Member of Parliament for the Colombo District in the 2015 general elections, serving as the Chief Opposition Whip.
In August 2019, he was instrumental in establishing the National People's Power (NPP), a coalition that brought together various political parties, civil organisations, and activists, with Dissanayake as its leader.
Despite securing only 418,553 votes in the 2019 presidential election, he remained a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics.
Dissanayake was re-elected to Parliament in the 2020 general elections. The NPP held its first national convention in December 2021, reaffirming Dissanayake as party leader.
Known for his steadfast commitment to democracy and human rights, he has actively campaigned against corruption.
In his recent presidential campaign, Dissanayake promoted the theme "A prosperous country - beautiful lives," resonating with a populace yearning for a brighter future.
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