Rahul Gandhi and Indian Leaders Congratulate Sri Lanka’s New President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
New Delhi, India – Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections. Gandhi said, “Congratulations and best wishes to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected as the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. May our countries continue to work together towards mutual growth and progress.”
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the 55-year-old leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna party, was declared the winner on Sunday. Congress President Malikarjun Kharge also extended his wishes, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties between India and Sri Lanka. Kharge stated, “On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake. India and Sri Lanka have a rich legacy of multifaceted cooperation and interaction, which dates back centuries. The people of India look forward to strengthening our ties and shared values for the benefit of our region.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dissanayake as well, highlighting Sri Lanka’s special place in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR, which focuses on sustainable use of oceans and a secure maritime domain.
Dissanayake will be the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka, defeating Sajith Premadasa in the country’s first-ever presidential election run-off. The election commission announced the results after a second vote count. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe came third and was eliminated after the first round. This was Wickremesinghe’s third unsuccessful bid for the presidency, having previously run in 1999 and 2005.
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Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a famous Indian politician and a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Congress party. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Congress MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. A Congress MP is someone who is elected to the Indian Parliament and belongs to the Congress party.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake -: Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a politician from Sri Lanka who recently became the President of the country.
Malikarjun Kharge -: Malikarjun Kharge is the President of the Congress party in India. He is a senior politician and leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna -: Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP) is a political party in Sri Lanka. It means ‘People’s Liberation Front’ in English.
Executive President -: An Executive President is a leader who has significant powers to run the country, similar to a Prime Minister but with more authority.
Sajith Premadasa -: Sajith Premadasa is a Sri Lankan politician who ran for President but lost to Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
presidential run-off -: A presidential run-off is a second round of voting held when no candidate wins a majority in the first round.
Incumbent President -: An incumbent President is the current President who is in office before the new President is elected.
Ranil Wickremesinghe -: Ranil Wickremesinghe is a Sri Lankan politician who was the President before Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the election.
