Sri Lanka has elected a new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following the first elections since the nation plunged into an economic crisis. Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and its broader coalition, National People’s Power (NPP), secured 42% of the popular vote.
His nearest rival, Sajith Premadasa, trailed with 23%, while the incumbent, Ranil Wickremesinghe, garnered only 16%. Dissanayake’s rise to power signals a shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, shaped by his long history in student politics, mainstream leadership, and controversial stances on ethnic issues.
Early Life and Political Awakening
Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s journey to the presidency began in the small village of Thambuttegama, Anuradhapura, where he was born into a lower-middle-class family. His father worked as a daily wager, while his mother was a homemaker.
Despite the family’s modest means, they prioritized education, enabling Dissanayake to pursue a science degree from the University of Kelaniya. It was during his university years that Dissanayake’s political consciousness was fully awakened.
Dissanayake’s involvement in student politics at the university laid the foundation for his future political career. He became a part of the Socialist Students Association, a JVP-affiliated group, and participated in the JVP-led armed uprisings from 1987 to 1989.
The uprisings aimed to overthrow the pro-capitalist government of the time, opposing what they called imperialist influences. Dissanayake’s commitment to revolutionary politics solidified during this period, placing him on a path of unwavering opposition to successive governments that he viewed as representing capitalist interests.
Rise in Mainstream Politics and Shifting Alliances
By the mid-1990s, Dissanayake’s influence within the JVP grew significantly. In 1995, he was appointed the national organizer of the Socialist Students Association and later ascended to the JVP’s central working committee.
His political stature increased further when he became a member of JVP’s political bureau in 1998, positioning him as a key leader within the party.
Dissanayake entered mainstream politics in 2000, winning a parliamentary seat. At the time, JVP supported the administration of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
However, the party soon took a more nationalist and militaristic stance, especially regarding peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant Tamil group. The JVP strongly opposed any peace negotiations, aligning itself with Sinhala nationalism.
In 2004, Dissanayake’s party formed an alliance with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), which further solidified his and the JVP’s influence. The alliance explicitly campaigned against the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE, taking a hardline stance on the country’s ethnic conflict.
Throughout this period, Dissanayake voiced strong opposition to devolving power to Tamil regions and firmly supported the Sinhala-majority government’s efforts to maintain territorial integrity.
Controversial Stance on Tamil Minorities and International Relations
One of the most controversial aspects of Dissanayake’s political career has been his party’s stance on Sri Lanka’s ethnic Tamil minority. The JVP has historically opposed any devolution of power to Tamil regions, which has been a key demand of Tamil leaders since the end of the civil war in 2009.
Dissanayake’s party also opposed the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 and the subsequent 13th Amendment, which aimed to grant more autonomy to Tamil-majority areas through the establishment of Provincial Councils. JVP’s manifesto has always prioritized the “territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country,” opposing any federalist solutions that might appease Tamil aspirations for autonomy.
Dissanayake’s speeches during election campaigns have reflected his resistance to Tamil demands. He warned Tamil audiences not to be seen as opposing the “change” that the South was embracing, alluding to potential consequences if they did not align with the broader Sinhala-majority political shift.
His party has consistently opposed any international investigations into war crimes allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan military during the final stages of the civil war. JVP has stood firmly behind the military, even appointing General Aruna Jayasekara, an officer accused of war crimes, to head their defense policy team.
Relations with India have also been strained due to JVP’s stance. Dissanayake opposed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India, arguing it would enable undue Indian influence in Sri Lanka.
He also vehemently rejected the possibility of returning the Katchatheevu island to India, a territory contested by the two nations. Nonetheless, India has attempted to engage with Dissanayake, inviting him for an official visit earlier this year, signaling that diplomatic avenues remain open despite disagreements.
Challenges Ahead: Economic Crisis and IMF Negotiations
Dissanayake’s presidency comes at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with one of its worst economic crises in decades. The country is waiting for the release of the next tranche of its $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
However, Dissanayake has expressed reservations about the terms of the agreement, hinting that his government would seek to renegotiate the deal. His position is in direct opposition to warnings from the outgoing administration, which has stressed the importance of adhering to the current terms.
Re-negotiating the IMF deal poses both risks and opportunities for Dissanayake’s government. While it may give Sri Lanka more flexibility in dealing with its debt, it could also strain relations with international financial institutions, which are crucial for the country’s economic recovery. How Dissanayake navigates these complex negotiations will be a key test of his leadership.
As Dissanayake takes the reins of a country in turmoil, his presidency represents both continuity and change.
His long-standing opposition to federalist solutions, combined with his support for Sinhala nationalism, suggests that ethnic reconciliation may remain a distant goal.
On the economic front, his leadership will be crucial in determining whether Sri Lanka can emerge from its current crisis with a sustainable solution.
