Sri Lanka Prepares for Snap Parliamentary Election Amid Political Shift

Sri Lanka could witness a snap parliamentary election in November as the newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the dissolution of the current Parliament. Following his victory, he aims to implement his reform agenda through a new assembly. The election is expected within 52-66 days after dissolution.

Sri Lanka is gearing up for a potential snap parliamentary election in November, as the newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed plans to dissolve the current Parliament within two days.

Top election official Saman Sri Ratnayake indicated that the election could take place between 52-66 days from the date of dissolution. Dissanayake, who was sworn in as the ninth president of Sri Lanka, stated in Kandy that he sought to implement his National People's Power (NPP) reform agenda through a new assembly.

His swearing-in followed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena's resignation, facilitating the power transition. The last parliamentary election took place in August 2020, and the upcoming election will be the first since mass protests led to the unseating of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 amid an economic crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)