Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, swore in a 22-member Cabinet on Monday, empowered by his party’s landslide victory in last week’s parliamentary elections, The Associated Press reports.
The National People’s Power (NPP) party secured a commanding two-thirds majority, giving Dissanayake the mandate to implement sweeping reforms without the need for coalition partners.
The election results delivered a decisive rejection of established political parties that have governed Sri Lanka since independence in 1948. The NPP won 159 of the 225 parliamentary seats, a testament to the public’s desire for change in the face of a crippling economic crisis.
Sri Lanka is grappling with its worst economic downturn in history, having declared bankruptcy in 2022 after defaulting on its external debt. Dissanayake’s victory offers a path towards potential solutions, but significant challenges remain.
Keeping a campaign promise, the president appointed a cabinet with fewer than 25 members, a significant number of whom are first-time lawmakers. Dissanayake retained the crucial portfolios of defense and finance. Harini Amarasuriya was reappointed as Prime Minister, making her the first woman to hold the post in 24 years. Vijitha Herath continues his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.
Dissanayake’s platform resonated with voters frustrated by perceived corruption and mismanagement within the existing political establishment, which many blamed for the economic collapse. His promises to punish corrupt officials from previous governments and recover stolen assets played a significant role in his electoral success.
While Dissanayake initially expressed intentions to renegotiate targets within the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout agreement signed by his predecessor, he has since indicated that Sri Lanka will adhere to the agreement, with debt restructuring nearing completion.
