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Sri Lanka's presidential election on Saturday saw Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist JVP's broader alliance, the National People's Power (NPP), take a commanding lead. This election, held amidst the country's ongoing economic crisis, saw a voter turnout of nearly 75%, lower than the 83% recorded in the previous presidential election in November 2019. Early results showed Dissanayake securing a significant portion of the postal votes, demonstrating a strong initial showing.
Dissanayake, a 56-year-old veteran politician, had previously led two failed uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in over 80,000 deaths. The JVP, once considered a fringe party, has gained traction in recent years, capitalizing on public discontent with the ruling elite and the economic crisis. His closest rival, Sajith Premadasa, the main opposition leader, secured 23% of the votes as of Sunday morning, while the incumbent president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, trailed significantly with 16% of the votes.
The election served as a referendum on the unpopular International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, a measure that many citizens believe will worsen their economic hardship. The government imposed a nationwide night curfew on Saturday, despite the peaceful conduct of the election, a measure intended to maintain order and control the flow of information. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for Sri Lanka's future, as the new president will navigate the country through a period of economic recovery and political instability. Dissanayake's victory would signal a shift in the country's political landscape, potentially ushering in a new era of Marxist influence.
Source: Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads Sri Lanka's presidential race: Key updates