Sri Lanka’s New President Calls for Snap General Election as Parliament is Dissolved
Sri Lanka’s newly elected president has officially dissolved the country’s parliament, paving the way for a snap general election scheduled for November 14—nearly a year ahead of the anticipated date. This decision follows Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election victory, during which his left-leaning National People’s Power (NPP) alliance secured only three of the 225 parliamentary seats.
Dissanayake, who recently won the presidency, expressed the need to pursue a fresh mandate aligned with the people’s expectations, stating that maintaining a parliament disconnected from public sentiment was unnecessary.
The last general elections took place in August 2020, and this upcoming election marks a significant political shift as Dissanayake aims to implement policies focusing on anti-corruption and poverty alleviation. His ascent marks a notable turnaround, having garnered just 3% of the vote in the 2019 presidential race.
In addition to dissolving parliament, Dissanayake appointed Harini Amarasuriya as prime minister, making her the third woman to hold this position in Sri Lankan history. Amarasuriya, a former university lecturer and activist for education and social justice since 2011, has expressed her commitment to addressing critical issues such as youth development and gender inequality.
Dissanayake’s immediate challenge will be to renegotiate terms of a $2.9 billion bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has been tied to stringent austerity measures affecting the public. He has acknowledged the difficulties facing citizens and emphasized the need for collective efforts to navigate the ongoing crisis.
As president, Dissanayake oversees the cabinet and appoints ministers, while Amarasuriya will serve as his deputy and lead the ruling party. Her appointment marks a historic moment, with her being the first academic to assume the role of prime minister in a nation that has seen limited female leadership since 2000.
