Sri Lanka Election Results: President Dissanayake's NPP secures majority in parliament with a landslide win

President’s Counsel and Former Minister of Justice, Finance and Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Mum Ali Sabry pointed out how the district of Jaffna voted for a party based in the south for the first time in history. “For the first time in history, the people of Jaffna have voted for a national party based in the South in general elections when Tamil parties have contested separately. This moment is not just about electoral results—it’s a powerful symbol of hope, trust, and unity across our nation,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“It reminds us that the real differences have always been more political than personal, and this shift shows that the people are ready to move beyond divisions. Together, we can seize this opportunity to build lasting trust and achieve true reconciliation,” he added.

A Historic Moment for Sri Lanka

For the first time in history, the people of Jaffna have voted for a national party based in the South in a general elections when Tamil parties have contested seperately. This moment is not just about electoral results—it’s a powerful symbol of…

— M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) November 14, 2024

Popularly known as AKD, the 55-year-old leftist leader heads the Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). His party is known for previously stoking up anti-India sentiments in Sri Lanka. AKD is considered close to China, which does not bode well for New Delhi’s interests in the Indian Ocean island.

What will Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election mean for India? Let’s dive deeper.

Sri Lanka President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake. AP

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake shared a video marking 50 days of his work for the country after winning the snap elections by a landslide. “50 great days for the country!” he wrote captioning the video.

දින 50 යි රටට සුබයි!
நாட்கள் 50 நாட்டுக்கு நலம்!
50 great days for the country! pic.twitter.com/oRV4fJrly4

— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) November 15, 2024

With counting remaining in only six out of 22 districts, President Dissanayake’s NPP has secured a landslide win in Sri Lanka’s snap election, giving the pro-Marxist leader the much-needed majority in the parliament. According to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, the party has already acquired 123 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament. Meanwhile, Premadasa’s Samagi Jana Balawegaya came second with 31 seats.

Here’s a snapshot of all you need to know about Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake:

The National People’s Power (NPP) polled 651,456 (69.56%) votes and secured 12 seats in parliament from the Kurunegala District while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) secured three seats, The Island reported.

According to the Sri Lankan Election Commission, votes in 14 out of 22 districts have been counted and Dissanayake’s NPP is dominating in all the 14 districts.

Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the National People’s Power (NPP) government could definitely win the lion’s share of seats in the parliament but warned the party of impending domestic and international challenges.

The former minister alleged that the NPP hadn’t been able to realise the growing economic-political-social crisis and the daunting task of handling the economy in line with the IMF’s programme that was endorsed by the previous administration, the NPP reported.

“The NPP seems to have overestimated its capacity,” ex-lawmaker Ranawaka said. The crux of the matter is whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had the wherewithal to adopt what the EJP leader called a bold and radical plan of action.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. AP

The National People’s Power (NPP) won six out of 9 seats in allocated to the district in parliament while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) won two seats and the New Democratic Front (NDF) won one seat. The figures were released by the Sri Lankan Election Commission on Friday.

According to Sri Lanka’s Election Commission, Dissanayake’s NPP won 80 seats, leading the race with 61.9 per cent votes. Meanwhile, Premadasa’s Samagi Jana Balawegaya is trailing with 18.49 per cent votes and has acquired 21 seats in the parliament as of now. The counting is still underway.

Sri Lanka is holding its first parliamentary election, called by its leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to secure a majority in parliament as the island nation struggles to recover from a crushing economic crisis.

Chanu Nimesha is the island country’s first openly transgender candidate who is vying for a seat in the parliament.

She wants to create a political culture on the island nation that is more inclusive and tolerant.

Here’s all we know about her.

Chanu Nimesha, 49, Sri Lanka’s first transgender candidate, running in the country’s upcoming parliamentary election, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 10, 2024. Reuters

While the snap polls remain more or less peaceful, reports are emerging that three people including a senior election officer and a police officer, who were engaged in election duties, have died on Wednesday night due to health conditions.

The office of the Deputy Inspector General of Elections said that the three officers were deployed on election duty in Kesbewa, Kobeigane and Kopay areas, Daily News reported.

The post-mortem examination of all three deceased is to be done and the police believe that they may have died due to heart problems.

Dissanayake dissolved parliament on September 24 to clear the way for the general election. The snap polls as being held on Thursday (November 14) Dissanayake failed to secure more than 50 per cent of votes.

Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) coalition had just three of 225 seats in parliament, prompting him to dissolve the legislature and seek a fresh mandate there for his policies.

In the snap election, Dissanayake hopes to win two-thirds of the legislature’s 225 seats to press ahead with reforms after the country’s economic meltdown in 2022, when then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted.

Dissanayake’s party will have to increase its votes significantly — from the 42 per cent won in the presidential election — to acquire a minimum of 113 seats to take control of the 225-member Sri Lankan parliament.

An election official carries a ballot box next to security force personnel at a vote counting centre after the voting ended for the parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Reuters

On the day of the snap election, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake requests all social media account holders and administrators to refrain from photographing or filming polling stations, marked ballot papers, and sharing them on social media platforms. He insisted that such actions would constitute a violation of election laws.

Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), told The Island that over 8,000 local and international election observers had been active on Thursday to monitor the polls. Hettiarachchi mentioned that 30 observers from the Asian Network for Free Elections, 10 from the Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) and three observers from the European Union were present in the country for the polls.

“The only serious concern we have is that some private companies are not granting leave for employees to cast their vote. This can especially be seen among private security firms,” he said.

Poll monitors of the Sri Lankan parliamentary elections raised alarm over the low voter turnout in the Thursday polling. Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) said that the the voter turnout at the upcoming Provincial Council and Local Government election is now expected to be lower than yesterday’s poll.

According to Sri Lankan news outlet The Island, turnout at the parliamentary election had hovered around 60 per cent across most districts, down from over 75 per cent at the 2020 general election. “One reason for the lower turnout is that it was held on a Thursday,” Gajanayake said. “Holding elections on a weekday may become the norm as it’s more convenient for many.”

“Another factor is voter fatigue, as two elections have been held back to back. “Many voters, particularly opposition supporters, feel the outcomes are already decided,” he added.

Sri Lankan police and election officials load ballot boxes and papers into buses from a distribution centre to polling stations, ahead of the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for September 21, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Reuters

According to the latest figures released by the Sri Lankan Election Commission, Dissanayake’s NPP has managed to gain a massive lead with 62.75 per cent of voters. Meanwhile, Sanjit Premadasa’s Samagi Jana Balawegaya is trailing with 18.68 per cent votes.

Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe who received a major setback in September polls, is currently in the third position with 17.3 per cent votes.

While the counting in Sri Lankan snap elections is still underway, the ruling National People’s Power party led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is poised for a sweeping victory in the Sri Lankan parliamentary election held on Thursday (November 14, 2024).

Just over 17 million Sri Lankans were eligible to elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term. A record 690 political parties and independent groups are in the fray across 22 electoral districts. The polls came as the country recovers from the catastrophic financial crisis.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake waves with other candidates during a public rally ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary election in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, Monday, November 11, 2024. Reuters