Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a prominent left-wing politician, has emerged as the frontrunner in Sri Lanka’s presidential election, the first since mass protests in 2022 ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Dissanayake currently holds 42% of the vote, positioning himself as a strong advocate against corruption and for transparent governance—issues that resonate deeply with Sri Lankans following the nation’s severe economic crisis.
To win outright, a candidate must secure 51% of the vote. As of Sunday morning, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa trails in second place with 32%, while incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is seeking re-election, has garnered 16%. Namal Rajapaksa, nephew of the former president, has attracted less than 3% of the vote.
If no candidate reaches the 51% mark, Sri Lanka will hold a second round of voting, allowing voters to rank their second and third choices—an unprecedented development in the country’s electoral history, where previous presidential contests have been decided in the first round since 1982.
Approximately 17 million Sri Lankans were eligible to cast their votes, and the election commission has reported that this was one of the most peaceful elections in the country’s history. However, a curfew was imposed late Saturday for “public safety” and remains in effect until noon local time.
Dissanayake’s early lead has prompted responses from across the political spectrum. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, despite supporting President Wickremesinghe, recognized Dissanayake’s strong showing, stating, “The people have spoken, and we must respect their choice.”
Harsha de Silva, a Member of Parliament supporting Premadasa, also offered congratulations, while Tamil National Alliance spokesperson MA Sumanthiran commended Dissanayake’s success, highlighting that it was achieved without appeals to “racial or religious divisions.”
The new president will inherit the monumental challenge of rebuilding Sri Lanka’s economy, which has been in decline since 2022. The economic collapse, which triggered the “Aragalaya” (struggle) protests, forced Rajapaksa from power after the nation’s foreign reserves were drained, leaving it unable to import fuel and essential goods. The crisis saw public debt skyrocket to $83 billion, inflation hit 70%, and millions of Sri Lankans plunged into poverty.
The downturn was largely blamed on corruption, mismanagement, and failed economic policies, particularly by the Rajapaksa family, which has held significant power in Sri Lanka for more than a decade. Now, with Dissanayake in the lead, the country faces a pivotal moment in its quest for economic recovery and governance reforms.
