Self-avowed Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn into office on Monday as he vowed to restore public faith in politics at a time when Sri Lanka is battling its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948.
Dissanayake, of the People’s Liberation Front (JVP), who beat his rivals in Saturday’s vote, is the island nation’s first leftist president. The 55-year-old was previously a peripheral figure in Sri Lankan politics; his party led two failed uprisings that left tens of thousands dead.
But the island nation’s economic crisis served as an opportunity for Dissanayake, who saw his popularity rise after he pledged to change the island’s “corrupt” political culture.
“I will do my best to fully restore the people’s confidence in politicians,” Dissanayake said after taking the oath.
“I am not a conjurer, I am not a magician,” he added. “There are things I know and things I don’t know, but I will seek the best advice and do my best. For that, I need the support of everyone.”
Dissanayake succeeds outgoing president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office at the peak of the economic crisis following the government’s first-ever foreign debt default and months of crippling shortages of basic amenities.
Dissanayake’s party has said he wants to have his own cabinet until a fresh parliament is elected later this year. His JVP party has only three members in the 225-member parliament.
Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported that President Xi Jinping said that he hoped to deepen ties with Sri Lanka.
“I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and am willing to work with Mr. President to continue our traditional friendship (and) enhance mutual political trust,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
