By Deutsche Welle (Asia) | Created at 2024-09-23 05:53:57 | Updated at 2024-09-30 05:32:13
1 week ago
Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in on Monday as the president of Sri Lanka, a day after the island country's election commission announced his victory in presidential elections.
Dissanayake defeated incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had been appointed by parliament to take over as president during the height of Sri Lanka's 2022 economic collapse, and had imposed tough austerity policies.
Speaking after his oath ceremony in Columbo, Dissanayake said that he will "understand the complex task ahead and will work to meet the aspirations of people."
"I will work to inspire confidence of the people who did not vote for me," he added.
The 55-year-old leader of a once-marginal Marxist party defeated 38 other candidates in the presidential elections.
More to follow...
