Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Resigns

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has resigned following the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who won the presidency with 42.3% of the votes in a historic election that required a second tally. Gunawardena's resignation marks a significant political transition in the debt-stricken country, which has experienced severe economic turmoil and protests in recent years. Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, has vowed to build a stable government and take responsibility for the nation. Gunawardena expressed gratitude to outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his support during his tenure, which began in July 2022 after the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The election was seen as a referendum on Wickremesinghe's economic policies, which had angered voters despite attempts at recovery. Dissanayake's victory is anticipated to usher in new political dynamics as he prepares to appoint a new cabinet.