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Photo Credit: Anura Kumara Dissanayake (X/Twitter)

Dissanayake’s NPP sweeps Sri Lanka’s snap polls, promises reform amid recovery

Sri Lanka’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake secured a landslide victory in a snap general election.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Friday, November 15, 2024

SRI LANKA: The win consolidates Dissanayake’s political strength following his presidential triumph in September.

The National People’s Power (NPP), previously holding just three seats in parliament, soared to 107 seats—over 62% of the vote—surpassing the majority mark in Thursday’s election. With a two-thirds majority within reach, the coalition’s Marxist-leaning agenda gains momentum, bolstered by voter turnout across 22 constituencies. Official results from the Election Commission showed 6.8 million votes cast in favor of the NPP.

The main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, led by Sajith Premadasa, trailed far behind with 28 seats, while the New Democratic Front of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe managed only three.

Celebrations were muted, with sporadic fireworks reported near Colombo, as Sri Lanka, recovering from a financial meltdown, faces an uphill battle against inflation and economic stagnation.

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