Party of Sri Lanka’s New Marxist-Leaning President Wins Majority in Parliamentary Election

The National People’s Power coalition has secured a five-year term in the country’s snap elections.

Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake waves as he departs the election commission office after winning the presidential election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sept. 22, 2024. Eranga Jayawardena/AP

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Marxist-leaning party has won the Nov. 15 snap parliamentary elections, with his National People’s Power coalition now set to steer the island nation for the next five years.

Dissanayake’s party won 159 of the 225 elected district seats and allocated seats in Parliament, according to the Elections Commission.