Politics Alliance of Sri Lanka's president wins two-thirds majority

In the parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka, voters have helped the left-wing alliance of new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to a two-thirds majority, thus strengthening the position of the head of state.

The National People's Power (NPP) under the Marxist Dissanayake won 159 of the 225 seats up for grabs. The party alliance under opposition leader Sajith Premadasa was able to secure 40 parliamentary seats. This is according to the results of the state election commission.

"Thank you to everyone who helped usher in the renaissance," Dissanayake wrote on the X platform after the election. The 55-year-old politician only took office in September with the aim of fighting corruption and leading his country out of the economic crisis, among other things. The NPP's parliamentary majority means that his government can better implement planned reforms.

Test for the government

The clear result was widely regarded as a surprise in the island state. Although the NPP had gone into the election as the favorite, it had previously only been represented by three members in the unicameral parliament. Many of its candidates were largely unknown. The ballot was therefore also seen by the Sri Lankan media as a test for the government as to whether it had the support of the population.

The problems had driven the financially strapped island state into bankruptcy two years ago. The dramatic economic crisis and the tense supply situation had also triggered massive protests in the former civil war country.

More than 17 million citizens were called upon to cast their votes this time. According to preliminary figures from the electoral commission, the turnout was around 65 percent. Members of parliament are normally elected for five years. However, Dissanayake had dissolved parliament prematurely after taking office and called new elections.

SDA