Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka, marks his 57th birthday today . Born in 1968, President Dissanayake has been a key figure in Sri Lankan politics, contributing to national discourse and leadership for several decades.Dissanayake began his early education at Thambuttegama Primary School before moving to Thambuttegama Central College, where he excelled in the Mathematics stream at the Advanced Level Examination. He entered the University of Kelaniya in 1992 and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1995.
His political engagement took root during his university period. In 1987, he became involved with the Socialist Students’ Union and actively participated in islandwide demonstrations opposing the Indo-Lanka Accord.
With the revival of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in 1993, Dissanayake returned to full-time political activity. He was appointed National Organizer of the Socialist Students’ Union in 1997 and was elected to the JVP Central Committee the same year. In 1998, he advanced to the party’s Politburo.
His entry into electoral politics began in 1999 when he contested the Central Province Provincial Council election as the JVP’s Chief Ministerial candidate. He entered Parliament for the first time in 2000 through the National List.
In the 2004 parliamentary election, Dissanayake secured the highest number of preferential votes in the Kurunegala District and was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Irrigation, and Livestock under the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).He served as the JVP Parliamentary Group Leader in 2008 and returned to Parliament again in 2010 via the National List. In 2015, he was elected to represent the Colombo District.
Dissanayake became the leader of the JVP at its 7th National Convention on February 2, 2014. Five years later, in 2019, he played a central role in forming the National People’s Power (NPP), a broad coalition of political parties, civil groups, and activists.
On September 21, 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake reached a historic milestone by being elected President of Sri Lanka, marking the culmination of his extensive and influential political career.
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