New Sri Lankan President Dissanayake Dissolves Parliament, Calls For Snap Elections In November

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s newly-elected Marxist President, has dissolved the country’s Parliament, marking one of his first major step after assuming the office.

This decision sets the stage for fresh parliamentary elections in a month, aimed at fulfilling his electoral promise to end the dominance of political dynasties in the nation.

A gazette notification said that Sri Lanka’s Parliament will be dissolved by midnight, with fresh elections scheduled for 14 November.

Parliament, which last convened in August 2020, was originally set to remain in session until August 2025, but will now conclude its term nearly a year early.

Sri Lanka, which voted for opposition leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, continues its gradual recovery from the severe economic crisis of 2020.

At that time, widespread protests erupted against then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, culminating in thousands of demonstrators storming the presidential palace, prompting Rajapaksa to flee the country.

Following the crisis, then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed control and brought stability to the Lankan economy as well as peace to the streets.

Last week’s elections, the first since the crisis, saw millions of Sri Lankans casting their votes for change, electing Dissanayake as their new President.

Dissanayake campaigned vigorously on an anti-corruption platform, pledging to put an end to dynastic politics, strengthen the economy, reduce inflation, and introduce significant reforms across various sectors.

"I pledge to demonstrate dedication to protecting and upholding democracy," Dissanayake, 55, said in his inaugural remarks at the President's Office in Colombo, saying he was taking office "at a challenging time."

"Our politics needs to be cleaner, and the people have called for a different political culture," he said in his first speech as President, adding that "I am ready to commit to that change."

Dissanayake ran as the candidate for the National People's Power or NPP alliance, which also includes his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP party, that traditionally championed Marxist economic policies centred on protectionism and state intervention.

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