Sri Lanka’s political landscape has undergone a significant transformation. The recent presidential election marked a departure from the country’s traditional politics.
Since gaining independence, power in Sri Lanka has alternated between the United National Party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and their respective alliances.
This power has primarily been held by a few influential families. However, a notable shift occurred in the most recent election.
Unlike previous leaders who represented established political parties, the presidency was secured by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the candidate of the National People’s Power, initially formed by the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna(PLF). This election marked a significant turning point in Sri Lankan politics.
How the percentage of 3% to 42.31%
He is considered the first president of the country to be elected by a socialist party with only 3 seats in the Parliament. Anura Kumara Dissanayake ran for the presidency from the National People’s Power in the 2019 election but only received about 3% of the total votes.
However, from 2019 to 2024, he managed to increase his vote percentage to 42.31%, showing remarkable growth. Anura Kumara Dissanayake is now among the few leaders who have achieved such significant growth quickly.
Anura was born in a remote village
Dissanayake Mudianselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake was born on November 24, 1968, in Galewela, Devahuwa area.
Not much is known about his family and family members, as he has chosen to distance himself from familial culture due to his involvement in politics.
However, recently, there was an opportunity to see his mother on television when she visited a polling station to cast her vote.
Anura came the hard way
Anura Kumara Dissanayake received his primary education from Tambuttegama Primary School, which is considered a challenging area.
He completed his primary education there and then attended Tambuttegama Central College for his secondary education. He excelled as a student and was able to take the advanced-level examination in mathematics.
After passing his A-Levels with distinction, Anura was admitted to the Faculty of Science at Kelaniya University in 1992 to pursue a degree in Physics, and he successfully obtained his degree in 1995.
Kelaniya University was vital to him in several ways. The environment allowed him to properly understand social, economic, and political events.
1997 he was appointed National Organiser of the Socialist Students Union due to his time there. He succeeded in getting elected to the Central Committee of the JVP in 1999 after joining the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (People’s Liberation Front).
Rohana Wijeweera and JVP
The Janatha Vimukti Peramuna was founded on May 14, 1965, in Galle, Akmeemana, under the leadership of Rohana Wijeweera.
The party and its leader led two armed struggles to fight for the rights of the people. The periods of 1971 and 1988 are often analysed in different ways, but many argue that Rohana Wijeweera’s leadership had a more populist purpose.
He launched political action against oppression and injustice. As a result, the JVP emerged as the third political force in Sri Lanka with a socialist political ideology.
Sadly, Rohana Wijeweera was killed due to repression, with accusations against the leaders of the capitalist political parties that ruled the country in 1988 and 1989.
The journey to the leadership of the Third Force
After the death of Rohana Wijeweera, the political activities of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) slowed down.
This was due to factors such as the loss of thousands of JVP activists’ lives and the banning of the party’s political activities.
However, the party later transitioned to participating in politics through democratic means.
The party’s second leader, Somawansa Amarasinghe, also returned to Sri Lanka from a foreign country in the 1990s, contributing to a resurgence in the party’s activities.
After leading the party for a considerable period, the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, became the party’s third leader.
Anura goes to Parliament
Anura Kumara Dissanayake first entered Parliament in 2000. In 2001, he played a significant role in establishing the provisional government with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
In 2004, the JVP, Podhu Peramuna, and several other parties formed the United People’s Freedom Alliance.
Additionally, in the general election at the end of 2004, Anura Kumara Dissanayake was re-elected to Parliament after receiving the most votes from the Kurunegala district. He also became that government’s Minister of Agriculture, Lands, and Irrigation.
Anura Dissanayake accomplished many important tasks as the Minister of Agriculture. However, this process was halted when the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) withdrew from the interim government due to various issues, including non-compliance.
Nevertheless, the party held Anura Kumara Dissanayake in high regard and decided to appoint him as the leader of the JVP parliamentary group in 2008, entrusting him with more responsibilities.
In the 2010 general election, the party also chose to re-appoint him as a Member of Parliament from the national list.
Additionally, he was re-elected to Parliament from the Colombo district in the August 2015 general election and served as the main organiser of the opposition from September 3, 2015 to December 17, 2018. As a result, he can be recognised as an experienced politician who has represented the Parliament for 24 years.
2024 presidential election and the intention of the people
The 2024 presidential election is approaching at a crucial moment for the country. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, defeated in the 2019 presidential election, is expected to have significant public support in 2024, as people believe he can help the nation overcome its challenges. Despite Gotabaya Rajapaksa coming to power in 2019, by 2022, the country faced economic uncertainty, leading to long queues and social oppression.
The price of rice skyrocketed from 90 to 200 rupees per kilo, causing nutritional problems for children and mothers. This situation led to a significant emigration of people.
Eventually, after widespread public unrest, Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to leave the country, and the uncertain situation improved somewhat after Ranil Wickramasinghe was appointed President.
Although some pressure has been relieved, the country is still facing challenges. It will be Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s responsibility to navigate these challenges carefully.
The following promises have been made: carrying out necessary legal reforms to make tax administration more efficient, increasing the annual tax exemption limit from 1.2 million to 224 million, resuming negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, removing clauses that hinder freedom of expression, amending the Act on the Security of Online Systems No. 09 of 2024.
Additionally, there is a promise to abolish the executive presidential system, install a parliamentary system of government and appoint a president without executive powers.
Lots of promises from Anura Kumara
Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged in his manifesto to take legal action against the politicians and officials implicated in the Easter bombings that occurred in Sri Lanka in 2019, based on the recommendations of the Presidential Commission.
He has stressed that the National People’s Force will not tolerate any actions or statements that incite or promote racism, disregard the identity of others, or isolate anyone based on their identity.
He has also promised to ensure that justice is served in unresolved cases such as the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga, the killing of rugby player Wasim Tajuddin, the abduction and disappearance of journalist Prageet Eknaligoda, and attacks on journalists.
The appointment of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President is not a coincidence or the result of divine will. It reflects the people’s demand for solutions to pressing issues, indicating that many still suffer oppression and hardship in the country.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the people’s last hope, especially when previous leaders have failed to fulfil their responsibilities. This forms the basis of his transformative vision.
