Anura Kumara Dissanayake The leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, outsider candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka's 2024 presidential election, reflecting public frustration with the traditional political elite. (more) Anura Kumara Dissanayake president of Sri Lanka Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake Written by Ethan Teekah Ethan Teekah is an Assistant Editor for Encyclopædia Britannica. He covers topics primarily related to Asia and Asian Studies. Ethan Teekah Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 25, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Quick Facts Born: November 24, 1968, Thambuttegama, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka] (Show more) Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question Anura Kumara Dissanayake (born November 24, 1968, Thambuttegama, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]) is the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka (2024– ) and leader of the leftist People’s Liberation Front (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna; JVP). Dissanayake’s election marks a major turning point in Sri Lankan politics. Unlike most previous presidents, he does not come from a political family. Additionally, the JVP has a controversial past because of its violent Marxist insurrections in the 1970s and ’80s, for which Dissanayake has apologized since becoming party leader in 2014. His victory in the presidential election reflects public frustration in the aftermath of Sri ...(100 of 706 words)

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