New Marxist President of Sri Lanka Vows to ‘Rewrite History’ Amid Economic Crisis

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Sri Lanka’s newly elected Marxist president, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, has called on his fellow citizens to join him in “rewriting” the nation’s history following his decisive victory in a recent election marked by widespread discontent over an ongoing financial crisis.

Dissanayaka, leader of the People’s Liberation Front, secured nearly 1.3 million more votes than his closest competitor, reflecting a significant surge in support as the island grapples with severe economic hardships. His party previously garnered less than four percent of the vote in parliamentary elections four years ago, but the current crisis has galvanized public backing.

In a statement following his victory, Dissanayaka declared, “The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true.” He emphasized that “this victory belongs to all of us,” and noted that millions of hopeful Sri Lankans are ready to reshape the country’s future.

Outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who assumed office during the height of the 2022 economic collapse and implemented strict austerity measures as part of an IMF bailout, finished a distant third with only 17 percent of the vote. In his farewell remarks, Wickremesinghe expressed pride in his efforts to stabilize the nation during tumultuous times, stating, “History will judge my efforts.”

Dissanayaka is set to be sworn in on Monday morning at the colonial-era President Secretariat in Colombo. His election campaign, which lasted eight weeks, focused heavily on economic issues and public anger towards the austerity measures enforced by the previous administration.

A party member indicated that while Dissanayaka does not plan to completely abandon the IMF deal, he intends to seek modifications. Bimal Ratnayake explained that the agreement contains provisions for renegotiation, and Dissanayaka has committed to reducing income taxes, which were doubled under Wickremesinghe, and to cutting sales taxes on essential goods such as food and medicine.

Historically, Dissanayaka’s party has a controversial past, having led two failed uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s that resulted in over 80,000 deaths. However, the current crisis has presented an opportunity for Dissanayaka to advocate for change and address the “corrupt” political culture that many Sri Lankans have grown disillusioned with.

Voter turnout for the election was approximately 76 percent among Sri Lanka’s 17.1 million eligible voters. Dissanayaka’s administration has also sought to reassure India regarding its foreign policy stance, emphasizing that Sri Lankan territory will not be used against any nation amidst concerns over China’s growing influence in the region.

Wickremesinghe’s bid for re-election was aimed at continuing the austerity measures that ultimately stabilized the economy and alleviated shortages of food, fuel, and medicine following the crisis that led to mass civil unrest. His presidency saw significant public discontent, with official data indicating that Sri Lanka’s poverty rate doubled from 2021 to 2022, pushing over 2.5 million people into extreme poverty.

As thousands of police were deployed to monitor the election, a temporary curfew was imposed after polls closed, despite no reported violence during or after the voting. Victory celebrations are prohibited until a week after the final results are announced, reflecting the tense political climate in the country as it prepares for a new chapter under Dissanayaka’s leadership.

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