Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power party, is currently leading the presidential polls in Sri Lanka, according to early results reported by the Daily Mirror. Voting took place on Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm local time across 22 electoral districts.
As of the latest trends, Dissanayake has secured 49.8% of the votes, followed by Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya with 25.8%, and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who garnered 16.4%.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry commented, “After a long and challenging campaign, the election results are becoming clear. While I campaigned for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, I respect the people’s decision in favor of Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In a democracy, honoring the will of the people is essential. I congratulate Mr. Dissanayake and his team, and I sincerely hope their leadership brings peace, prosperity, and stability to Sri Lanka. The challenges ahead are significant, and I trust they will learn from the past—both its successes and failures. Governing wisely and remaining true to the people’s needs are the real tests of leadership. I wish Mr. Dissanayake and his team the best as they work to lead Sri Lanka forward.”
As Sri Lanka recovers from the severe economic crisis of 2022, this election marks a critical moment for the nation. The crisis, which caused widespread food and fuel shortages, led to the ousting of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Incumbent President Wickremesinghe, who took office as interim president in July 2022 following Rajapaksa’s departure, is now seeking re-election.