Anura Kumara Dissanayake's Presidential Pledge to Cleanse Public Life

Sri Lanka's new President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, vows to uphold democracy and cleanse public life. In his inaugural speech, he highlighted the need for international cooperation and emphasized collective responsibility to elevate the country's economic crisis. Dissanayake's anti-corruption message resonated strongly, leading to his victory in a historic election.

In a historic transition of power, Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president on Monday, vowing to preserve democracy and cleanse public life. The 56-year-old leader took the oath administered by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat.

In his inaugural address, Dissanayake thanked his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe for respecting the people's mandate and ensuring a peaceful handover of power. He vowed to uphold democratic values and restore the honor of politicians, acknowledging public misgivings about their conduct.

Dissanayake emphasized the importance of international cooperation for Sri Lanka's progress, positioning himself as part of a collective effort to address the nation's economic crisis. Known for his anti-corruption stance, his message resonated with young voters, marking a significant victory for his Marxist party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). The NPP leader is Sri Lanka's first-ever Marxist party leader to become the head of state.

(With inputs from agencies.)