COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, dissolved the parliament on Tuesday and announced snap elections, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the country.
Dissanayake, a self-declared Marxist and leader of the People’s Liberation Front (JVP), took office following a decisive victory in the presidential elections held over the weekend.
In a notice published in the official government gazette, the dissolution of the 225-member parliament took immediate effect, with elections scheduled for November 14, nearly a year ahead of the original timeline.
The previous parliament was due to complete its term in August 2024. Dissanayake’s party, which previously held only three seats in the legislature, saw a surge in support following the country’s devastating economic meltdown in 2022, which left millions struggling with poverty and hardship.
Dissanayake was sworn in on Monday after garnering over 1.2 million more votes than his nearest rival, outperforming 38 other candidates in a reflection of widespread discontent with the prior administration led by Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The former president had faced criticism for implementing harsh tax increases and austerity measures under the terms of a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Dissanayake appointed Harini Amarasuriya, a prominent advocate for gender equality and minority rights, as prime minister. Amarasuriya, who was first elected to parliament four years ago, will oversee key portfolios including justice, education, health, women’s affairs, and labor. Dissanayake also retained crucial portfolios such as defense, energy, and agriculture.
“This cabinet will be the smallest in the history of Sri Lanka,” said party member Namal Karunaratne.
In his inaugural address, Dissanayake emphasized that while he aimed to tackle the country’s significant economic issues, he was neither a magician nor a conjurer. “I have strengths and limitations, things I know and things I don’t,” he stated, calling for a collective effort to overcome the crisis.
Despite the challenging circumstances, a senior aide noted that Dissanayake’s administration would not completely abandon the IMF deal. “We will engage with the IMF and introduce certain amendments,” said Bimal Ratnayake. “It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate.”
