Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a leftist politician, has taken a commanding lead in Sri Lanka’s presidential election.
The election on Saturday is the primary to be held since mass protests unseated the nation’s chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in 2022 after the nation suffered its worst financial disaster.
Dissanayake promised voters robust anti-corruption measures and good governance – messages which have resonated strongly with voters who’ve been clamouring for systematic change for the reason that disaster.
Early outcomes on Sunday morning confirmed Dissanayake with a commanding lead, profitable near 50% of votes counted. A candidate wants 51% of the full vote to be declared the winner.
Mr Premadasa is in second place with practically 26% of the full vote. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who’s looking for a second time period, has up to now acquired 16% whereas Namal Rajapaksa, the nephew of the ousted president has bought shut to three%.
Seventeen million Sri Lankans have been eligible to vote on Saturday.
Voting proceeded peacefully, though authorities declared a curfew on Sunday morning which was prolonged till till midday native time (0:630 GMT).
Dissanayake has already acquired messages of congratulations from supporters of his two major rivals, incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition chief Sajith Premadasa.
International Minister Ali Sabry mentioned on X that early outcomes clearly pointed to a victory by Dissanayake.
“Although I closely campaigned for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the individuals of Sri Lanka have made their choice, and I absolutely respect their mandate for Anura Kumara Dissanayake,” he mentioned.
MP Harsha de Silva, who supported Premadasa, mentioned he has known as Dissanayake to supply his congratulations.
“We campaigned laborious for @sajithpremadasa nevertheless it was to not be. It’s now clear @anuradisanayake would be the new President of #SriLanka,” mentioned de Silva, who represents Colombo in parliament.
One other Premadasa supporter, Tamil Nationwide Alliance (TNA) spokesman MA Sumanthiran, mentioned Dissanayake delivered an “spectacular win” with out counting on “racial or spiritual chauvinism”.