Anura Kumara Dissanayake takes oath as the new president of Sri Lanka

DH Web Desk

Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office as Sri Lanka's president on September 23, pledging to lead the country into a new "Renaissance."

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Credit: X/@anuradisanayake

Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.

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Credit: Reuters

In his inaugural address to the nation, Dissanayake thanked his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe for respecting the people’s mandate and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power.

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Credit: X/@anuradisanayake

Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signs his oath document of office during the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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Credit: X/@anuradisanayake

Dissanayake stressed Sri Lanka cannot remain in isolation and needed international cooperation. He said he is not a magician, but his objective is to be part of a collective responsibility to elevate the economic crisis-stricken country.

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Credit: Reuters

Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party's broader front National People’s Power (NPP), defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in Saturday's election.

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Credit: Reuters