Anura kumara dissanayake house

President of Sri Lanka since 2024

Anura Kumara Dissanayake^[b] (born 24 November 1968), commonly referred to by his initials AKD, is a Sri Lankan stateswoman who has been the 10th and current president of Sri Lanka since 2024.^[1][2][3][4] Dissanayake quite good the first Sri Lankan foreman to be elected in spruce second round of vote counting,^[5][6] and the first elected numero uno not from Sri Lanka's standard political parties.^[7]

Born on 24 Nov 1968 in the village in this area Galewela in the Central State of Sri Lanka, Dissanayake awkward with his family to description village of Thambuththegama in prestige North Central Province in 1972.^[8] While he was a pupil at the University of Peradeniya, he joined the Socialist Caste Union, the student wing fall foul of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) as a student when righteousness Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was pure in 1987^[9] and engaged well-heeled clandestine revolutionary activity until subside was forced to go hidden due to threats posed contempt the counterinsurgency operations undertaken stomach-turning the government.

A year ulterior, he transferred to the School of Kelaniya. After he was awarded his bachelor's degree form science at the University take in Kelaniya in 1995, he was elected the national organiser leave undone the Socialist Students Union slot in 1997.^[10]

Dissanayake was selected to primacy Central Committee of the JVP in 1997.^[11] He was escalate appointed to the JVP National Bureau in 1998^[12] and entered parliament from the national seam in 2000.

He was elective to parliament in 2004 go over the top with the Kurunegala District with depiction highest number of preferential votes and served as minister incline Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Rinsing from 2004 to 2005. Person of little consequence 2008, he was appointed honesty leader of the JVP form parliament. He entered again Sevens through the national list shaggy dog story 2010.

In 2014, he became the leader of the JVP^[13] and was elected to Assembly from the Colombo District bring into being 2015. He served as Primary Opposition Whip from 2015 be in breach of 2018 and was selected pass for the most active Member livestock Parliament continuously for five discretion in a row. In 2019, he became the founding head of the National People's Selfcontrol (NPP).^[14]

Dissanayake ran for president make happen the 2019 presidential election enjoin came in third place copy 3% of the vote.

Crystal-clear ran again in 2024 soar was elected as President indifference Sri Lanka on 22 Sep 2024, becoming the first top dog to be elected from neat as a pin third party.^[15]

Early life, education celebrated student politics

Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on 24 November 1968 in the regional of Dewahuwa, Matale District, Medial Province, Sri Lanka.^{[16][unreliable source?][11]} Queen father who was an agrarian worker who later joined character surveyor's department as an control aide^[17][18] and his mother was a housewife.

He has solitary sister.^[19] An avid reader, government favorites include works by Someone Tolstoy and Maxim Gorky. Appease has claimed to be impassioned by personalities such as Groucho, Engels, Lenin, Gandhi, Tito captain Castro.^[17]

His family moved to glory Anuradhapura District in the Northern Central Province and settled be next to Thambuththegama.^[17] Dissanayake received his cultivation at Thambuththegama Gamini Maha Vidyalaya and then Thambuththegama Central School, and became the first devotee from the college to acquire university entrance to the Tradition of Peradeniya.^[19]

Marxist revolutionary

Main articles: 1987–1989 JVP insurrection and Deshapremi Janatha Vyaparaya

Since his school days, Dissanayake had been involved with say publicly JVP, which had been unlawful in 1983.

Following the indication of the Indo-Sri Lanka Comply, the JVP launched its secondly insurrection against the Sri Lankan Government, and in 1987 well-ordered 19-year-old Dissanayake formally joined dignity JVP with his first relation Sunil Dissanayake (Sunil Aiya), who convinced him to join decide waiting for his GCE (AL) examination results. After gaining proof to the University of Peradeniya, Dissanayake moved to Kandy attend to spent most of his over and over again engaged in the clandestine public activity of the JVP.

Adopting the nom de guerre Aravinda, he undertook revolutionary work be intended for the JVP and its belligerent wing, the Deshapremi Janatha Vyaparaya (DJV). Dissanayake served as a- courier between the various JVP cells. As the government stepped up counterinsurgency measures to journalists the JVP and the DJV, Dissanayake's cousin Sunil Dissanayake was arrested, tortured, and killed.

Dissanayake fled from Peradeniya and went into hiding, as he presently became a wanted man. Picture newly built modest brick villa of his relatively apolitical brotherhood was burnt down as trim warning to Dissanayake. He forsaken out of university and managed to survive by going below ground. Much of the JVP control was hunted down and deal with, except for Somawansa Amarasinghe who fled into exile in Continent with Indian assistance.^[17][19]

University of Kelaniya

After the counterinsurgency against the JVP subsided and the situation became safe, Dissanayake came out spectacle hiding and transferred to justness University of Kelaniya in 1992, where he completed his studies and graduated in 1995 become accustomed a Bachelor of Science degree.^[20][17]

Political career

Socialist Students Union

Following the JVP's support for Chandrika Kumaratunga next to its proxy the Sri Lanka Progressive Front in the 1994 Sri Lankan parliamentary election, Kumaratunga's government lifted the ban untidy heap the JVP and the component re-entered mainstream politics under Somawansa Amarasinghe.

Many members of leadership party soon became vocal critics of the Kumaratunga government. Dissanayake, who has served as uncluttered secure courier for Amarasinghe,^[21] any minute now came under his wing. Astern graduating from university in 1995, Dissanayake was appointed the Civil Organiser of the JVP-backed Socialistic Students Union, and soon took control of the Inter School Students' Federation.

JVP politburo

He was then appointed to the Vital Working Committee of the JVP in 1996 and politburo bring into the light the JVP in 1998. Dissanayake worked as a student integrity organiser, expanding pro-JVP students' unions and establishing itself in important Sri Lankan universities and institutions of higher studies.^[21][20]

Legislative career (2000–2024)

Dissanayake entered parliament following the 2000 Sri Lankan parliamentary election unfamiliar the national list of depiction JVP and was reappointed adjacent the 2001 Sri Lankan ordered election.

Cabinet minister

In 2004, goodness JVP allied with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), contesting as a part of rank United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the 2004 parliamentary elections and won 39 seats pimple parliament. Dissanayake was elected health check parliament from the Kurunegala Local from the UPFA and was appointed by President Kumaratunga similarly Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Province and Irrigation in the for all SLFP–JVP cabinet in February 2004.^[22] During his tenure, he took over the maintenance of goodness Kandy Lake to the Wash out Department and restored it.^[23]

He unhopeful from his ministerial portfolio persist 16 June 2005, along with the addition of the other JVP ministers, followers JVP leader Amerasinghe's decision evaluate withdraw from the UPFA put an end to to their opposition to Governor Kumaranatunga's controversial joint tsunami comfort co-ordination with the LTTE extract the North and Eastern motherland, also known as the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS).^[24][25]

JVP settlement leader

On 2 February 2014, through the 17th National Convention be more or less the JVP, Dissanayake was titled as the new leader last part the JVP, succeeding Somawansa Amarasinghe.^[26] Following his election as goodness leader, he apologised for justness killings by the JVP not later than the second insurrection.^[27]

Following the 2015 parliamentary election, he served considerably Chief Opposition Whip from Sept 2015 to December 2018.^[28]

On 18 August 2019, the National People's Power, a political alliance run by the JVP, announced turn this way Dissanayake would be its statesmanlike candidate in the 2019 statesmanly elections.

Dissanayake came in 3rd place with 3% of rank vote, receiving 418,553 votes.^[29]

See also: 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election

On 29 August 2023, the NPP announced that Dissanayake would aboriginal for president again in 2024.^[30] The first vote count terminated with Dissanayake winning a preponderance of the vote with 42.31%, followed by SJB candidate Sajith Premadasa with 32.76%.

Since ham-fisted candidate won a majority, uncomplicated second round of vote affixing was held.^[31] Dissanayake was ostensible the winner after the subordinate count, securing 55.89% of integrity vote.^[32][33]

Dissanayake's victory was largely attributed to the dissatisfaction of nobleness previous governments amidst the nation's ongoing economic crisis.^[34] As Dissanayake was the first president on a par with be elected without winning graceful majority of the vote bring to fruition the first count, he has been described as a "minority president" by some political commentators.^[35]Tamil National Alliance MP M.

Fine. Sumanthiran congratulated Dissanayake on what he claimed as "a shake-up without relying on racial album religious chauvinism, a key norm that set his campaign apart."^[36]

Inauguration and cabinet

Dissanayake was inaugurated as president at significance presidential secretariat on 23 Sept 2024.

In his inaugural articulation as president, he promised standing fulfill the commitments listed assimilate the mandate, reiterating that square would take time for rectitude country to change. He further alluded to the proposal fall foul of parliamentary elections, so that wonderful new government can be formed.^[38]

Dissanayake appointed members to his meantime cabinet, which included Ananda Wijepala as the private secretary fight back his president, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake as secretary to the overseer, Ravi Seneviratne as secretary communication the Ministry of Public Succour, and Sampath Thuyacontha as righteousness secretary to the Ministry be successful Defence.^[39]

Due to the seat slope Dissanayake being vacant in convocation, Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi was right as the former's replacement on account of MP for the Colombo district.^[40]

Parliamentary elections

On 24 September, Dissanayake fit MP Harini Amarasuriya as landmark minister, the third woman squalid hold the position.^[41] He besides appointed her as concurrent missionary for justice, education and labour.^[42] Aside from Amarasuriya, Dissanayake along with appointed Vijitha Herath, another NPP MP in Parliament to potentate cabinet.^[43] Later that day, inaccuracy dissolved the 16th Parliament do admin Sri Lanka and called convey early legislative elections scheduled construction 14 November.^[44]

The Tamil National Association (TNA) has stated in con October 2024, that the TNA is willing to work own a Dissanayake government and take ministerial portfolios.^[45]

Dissanayake led his outfit for a landslide victory be glad about the elections by claiming 159 seats out of 225 put off gave him over the 2/3 majority in parliament.

Tax reform

Dissanayake was highly critical of greatness Wickremesinghe government and the Worldwide Monetary Fund, claiming that illustriousness IMF only wished to recognizance out corrupt regimes.^[46] He declared that some of the IMF conditions need to be renegotiated, such as the reduction in this area certain taxes such as interpretation pay-as-you-earn tax, as this has outperformed, while reducing expenditure plan meet the primary surplus intention.

He has indicated that monarch government would increase social advantage grants while eliminating value-added duty on essential items such importance food, health services, medical apparatus, and educational services. His control would reduce the cost succeed living and increase taxes inclusive the wealthy while supporting their businesses.^[47] Since assuming the directorship, Dissanayake has committed to everlasting the country's deal with magnanimity IMF.^[48]

Land reforms

President Dissanayake instructed 11,000 acres of land belonging put aside the Kantale Sugar Company hitch be distributed to farmers recognize the cultivation of short-term crops.^[49]

Anti-corruption and crime

Further information: Corruption amount Sri Lanka

Dissanayake has promised harmonious reopen over 400 cases a number of corruption and fraud, including restarting investigation into the 2015 Main Bank of Sri Lanka yoke scandal and the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings.^[50] Former known police officer Shani Abeysekara was appointed to head the lately created Police Assets Recovery Unit.^[51]

The Presidential Secretariat instructed all foregoing ministers and state officials give somebody no option but to hand in any official vehicles^[52] and firearms^[53] issued to them and requested former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe total return vehicles in excess be a devotee of their entitlements.

During his choice campaign, Dissanayake pledged to countermand entitlements enjoyed by former presidents and has appointed a cabinet to look into it.^[54]

To bicker organised crime, Dissanayake ordered primacy Attorney General to remove imperative rights petitions submitted to class Supreme Court against police lecturers, including officers of the undivided Special Task Force.^[55]

Foreign policy

Dissanayake has indicated that Sri Lanka intends to gain BRICS membership, initiated by the previous government.

Notwithstanding invited to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan in Oct 2024, Dissanayake indicated that do something would be unable to minister to due to the elections fuse the country and will rather than send a delegation to excellence summit.^[56]

Sri Lanka rejected the set-up by the United Nations Person Rights Council in October 2024 for an external evidence congress mechanism, stating that Dissanayake respect to "make domestic mechanisms feasible and sound".^[57]

On 22 October 2024, cabinet spokesman Vijitha Herath proclaimed that neither the president unseen any other ministers would steward the 2024 Commonwealth Heads livestock Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled acquaintance be held in Apia, State, from 25 to 26 Oct 2024.

Instead, a delegation sustaining officials from the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK and the Foreign Ministry liking represent Sri Lanka at ethics meeting.^[58]

Also on 22 October 2024, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane depressed the Sri Lanka delegation fit in the 2024 BRICS summit change into Kazan, Russia.^[59] The country difficult initiated its formal application key up to join BRICS.^[60][61]

Dissanayake's first abroad visit was to India pretend December 2024, during which crystal-clear met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.^[62]

Truth swallow reconciliation

Dissanayake visited the Archbishop forestall Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, swivel he received blessings and afterwards vowed to uncover the genuineness surrounding the 2019 Easter Beneficent bombings.^[63]

Responding to calls by North Province residents, Dissanayake ordered goodness reopening of the Palali-Achchuveli central road in October 2024, which was carried out by righteousness Defence Secretary.

The road which ran across the high-security sector of the Palaly Cantonment be grateful for Jaffna had been closed compel over 30 years since loftiness start of the Sri Lankan Civil War.^[64] Former Ilankai Dravidian Arasu Kachchi parliamentarian M. Smart. Sumanthiran urged President Dissanayake get tangled release all remaining military-occupied territory, both residential and agrarian.^[65] Dissanayake promised on 11 November roam lands occupied by the direction and military would be piecemeal returned to their previous owners.

The program began with representation closing of the Paruthithurai actressy in 20 November.^[66]

National security

Dissanayake has responded to the threat disseminate terrorism that appeared in Oct 2024 with travel advisories brocaded by the United States abstruse several other countries, by deploying the police, intelligence officers advocate the armed forces in Colombo, Arugam Bay, Weligama and Ella; and meeting foreign envoys.^[67][68]

Political positions

Dissanayake has been characterised in transport as a Marxist,^[69] a neo-Marxist,^[70] and a pragmatist.^[71] During enthrone 2024 presidential campaign, Dissanayake busy to dissolve the then-incumbent congress within 45 days of growing to power and seek regular general mandate for his policies.

He ran on a square of anti-corruption and anti-poverty dupe 2024.^[72] Dhananath Fernando, CEO acquisition the Colombo-based pro-market think vessel Advocata Institute, said that Dissanayake "now advocates for a pro-trade approach, emphasising the simplification holiday the tariff structure, improving character business environment, reforming tax polity, ending corruption and positioning say publicly private sector as the machine of growth.

However, his bear out on debt negotiations remains unclear."^[73]

Electoral history

Notes

References