Sri Lankans reject political dynasties for leftist outsider

Dissanayake's challenges with economy, Parliament may add uncertainty in IMF deal

20240924 Anura Kumara Dissanayake signs his oath

Newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signs his oath document of office during the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Sept. 23. © Reuters

MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR, Asia regional correspondent

September 24, 2024 18:14 JST

COLOMBO -- With an eye on scripting a fresh political culture, voters in Sri Lanka rallied around new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Saturday's election. His victory, fueled by anti-establishment discontent that had been brewing for months, gives the Marxist-leaning politician a role in deciding the future of reforms in the debt-ridden island nation.

The 55-year-old Dissanayake gained political mileage in the current backlash because of the stark contrasts between the candidates and their allies. He was dubbed a man of the people for his humble rural upbringing. Lined up against him were people from graft-tainted dynasties that have dominated politics for decades in this semi-feudal country, reflecting a common South Asian landscape of politics as a family business run across generations.