Sri Lankan President’s Party Heads for Landslide Victory: Early Results

AFP/APP

Colombo: New Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s party is poised for a landslide victory in snap legislative elections, according to early results released Friday.

With over half the ballots from Thursday’s parliamentary elections counted, Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) coalition has secured an unassailable lead, capturing 63% of the votes, according to the Election Commission.

The NPP, which previously held only three seats in the 225-member parliament, is leading comfortably in nearly every constituency, reflecting a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.

Dissanayake, who assumed the presidency in September on an anti-corruption platform, pledged to combat graft and recover stolen national assets. Speaking after casting his vote, the 55-year-old leader said the election could mark a turning point for the nation.

“We believe this is a crucial election that will define Sri Lanka’s future,” he stated.

Voter turnout, however, was below 70 percent, compared to the nearly 80% seen in the September presidential elections.

The peaceful election comes in the wake of Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in 2022, which led to the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.