Sri Lanka President Calls Snap Election for November

Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake dissolved Parliament on September 24, calling for a parliamentary election on November 14, as part of his strategy to consolidate power following his recent electoral victory. Dissanayake, whose party holds only three seats in the 225-member legislature, aims to leverage his popularity to secure a majority. He appointed Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister, marking her as the first female leader in 24 years, while also managing multiple key ministries. The dissolution of Parliament comes in the wake of widespread public dissatisfaction with the previous administration's response to the country's severe economic crisis. Dissanayake's administration faces the challenge of navigating austerity measures tied to an International Monetary Fund bailout, which he has pledged to renegotiate. His approach reflects a rejection of traditional political elites by voters seeking change in the wake of economic turmoil.