Correct Answer : Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office as president on Monday (23rd Sep 2024), promising change in the island nation long led by powerful political families which is emerging from its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades.
Millions of Sri Lankans had voted for the opposition parliamentarian, putting faith in his graft-fighting pledge and vow to bolster a fragile economic recovery.
"I pledge ... to demonstrate dedication to protecting and upholding democracy," Dissanayake, 55, said in inauguration remarks at the president's office, saying he was taking office at a challenging time in the Indian Ocean nation.
"Our politics needs to be cleaner, and the people have called for a different political culture," he added. "I am ready to commit to that change."
Dissanayake ran as the candidate for the National People's Power (NPP) alliance, which includes his Janatha Vimukhti Peremuna (JVP) party that traditionally championed Marxist economic policies centred on protectionism and state intervention.
In recent years the party has taken more centrist positions.
Outside, dozens of supporters held up posters carrying his image, with some waving the Sri Lankan flag and chanting "AKD", the initials of the new president, who displaces the incumbent, veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe.
"I’m very happy," said one of them, beautician Iroma Nilanthi Liyanage, adding that Dissanayake inspired supporters with hope. "We worked very hard for this victory. For the first time the poor people have someone who stands for them."..
Source : Reuters
