Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist politician from the People’s Liberation Front, became Sri Lanka’s president, defeating Ranil Wickremesinghe. Dissanayake acknowledged the country’s deep economic crisis and emphasized collective effort for resolution. Congratulated by China, the U.S., and India, he faces the challenge of easing austerity measures imposed by Wickremesinghe under an IMF agreement. Sri Lanka, recovering from a severe economic collapse with inflation peaking at 70%, expects GDP growth for the first time in three years. This marks the first standard power transfer since 2022’s political upheaval.