Sri Lanka has a new president – and he’s different
As Anura Kumara Dissanayake, or AKD as he’s known, is elected president of Sri Lanka he is aware that he wears a crown of thorns.
The country is reeling from a crippling economy and its people have been suffering one of the worst cost-of-living crises in living memory.
The leader cut his teeth in university politics and worked through the ranks of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) a party of Marxist-Leninist origins.
The JVP’s armed insurrection against the state in 1988 was crushed.
In retaliation there were brutal killings, including of political opponents, ordinary government employees and dissidents by the party cadre. The state’s response was lethal.
There are many from the older generation that remember these killings.
And Mr Dissanayake needs to convince his detractors that he is there for all.
There is much trepidation and scepticism of the Marxist ideology of his party and how it will work with international organisations that have bailed Sri Lanka out of bankruptcy.
Bimal Ratnayake, executive member of the party, told Sky News “we have already declared we will remain in the IMF programme but while this is on, we will discuss with them for negotiations for some changes”.
“But all these things will be mutually agreed.”
There is criticism of the inexperience of the leadership and the party.
Dr Harini Amarasuriya, who may be the next prime minister, responded by saying in an interview with Sky News that “we don’t have the experience in making the country bankrupt… for sure we will gain experience in building the country”.
It’s the younger generation that have been the ardent supporters of AKD.
Its desire is for change against the dynastic families that have ruled the country for decades. And it came out in full force in support of this change.
The country yearns to turn the page – and it’s done it.
For AKD, winning the elections may be an easier task than what is in store ahead for him and his presidency.