COLOMBO: Sri Lankans handed Anura Kumara Dissanayake a thumping win in a snap general election, giving its new leftist president greater legislative power to pursue policies to alleviate poverty and fight graft as the country recovers from a financial meltdown.

The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has won a majority in parliament, providing a solid mandate for his economic revival program. Mr Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Party won at least 123 of the 225 seats in parliament, according to partial results released by the Elections Commission.

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's coalition, the National People's Power (NPP), is set to win a majority in a snap general election, results from the Indian Ocean island's poll body showed on Friday.

Sri Lanka's President and National People's Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake meets his party supporters after casting his vote on the day of the parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 14, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seeking a mandate for his policies aimed at alleviating distress among the poor in the country struggling to emerge from a financial crisis.

Mr Dissanayake was elected president in September in a rejection of traditional political parties that have governed the island nation.

Sri Lankans are voting in a parliamentary election that's key for their new, Marxist-leaning president to consolidate his party’s power and follow through on promises of economic recovery.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's coalition, the National People's Power (NPP), was set for victory in a snap general election, results from the Indian Ocean island's poll body showed on Friday (Nov 15).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's promise to hold corrupt officials accountable has fueled his public support.