Party of Sri Lanka's new Marxist-leaning president wins two-thirds majority in parliament
The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has won a two-thirds majority in parliament, according to official election results, providing a strong mandate for his program for economic revival
By KRISHAN FRANCIS and BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI
Published - Nov 15, 2024, 05:27 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:23 PM EST
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won a two-thirds majority in parliament, according to official election results Friday, providing a strong mandate for his program for economic revival.
Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Party won 159 of the 225 seats, according to the Elections Commission.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya, or United People's Power Party, led by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa had 40 seats and was in second place.
The election comes at a decisive time for Sri Lankans, as the island nation is struggling to emerge from the worst economic crisis in its history, having declared bankruptcy after defaulting on its external debt in 2022.
