• In inaugural address, requests for support of industrialists, entrepreneurs, & int’l community
• Says will work to build confidence in public who didn’t vote for him  

The National People’s Power’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka yesterday (23). He was ceremonially sworn in as the country’s new President before President’s Counsel and Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

After taking oaths as the new President, Dissanayake delivered a brief statement emphasising his commitment to the nation and the citizens. In his inaugural address to the nation after being sworn in as the Head of the State, he assured his full commitment to strengthen and safeguard the democracy of the country, through which he was elected to office. 

Dissanayake said: “The most significant feature of our country’s democracy is the election of the ruler of the country by the general public, but democracy is not all about just casting the votes or electing the ruler. We accept that we need a little more strengthening of the structures and strong legislations. Therefore, at inception, I assure the public that I am ready to showcase my maximum commitment for the protection of the democracy in the country during my term as the President.” 

Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to the outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe for ‘cordially welcoming’ the mandate of the public and showcasing his dedication to the changeover of power, thereby respecting democracy. He also reminded that no leader in the country’s history has refused to accept the transfer of power, as decided by the mandate of the public. 

Commenting further, the new Executive President stated: “We have deeply understood that we are taking over a very challenging country. There is the need for creating a favourable political culture in the country, which the public expects from us. We’re ready to commit to that. We will do every possible thing from our side to re-assuring the confidence of the public in politics and the politicians. We don’t think that the deep crisis situation that we’re taking over can be navigated by a single person, the Government, or just by a single party. I have stated earlier as well, that I am not a magician, but a normal citizen born in this very country. There are abilities and things we know. But, my priority is to extract more abilities, and collect more knowledge in order to guide the country with better decisions. My responsibility is to be a part of that collective triumph.” 

Meanwhile, the newly-elected President also commented on his expectations of working together with the international communities’ for the sake of the country. “I also expect the support of each and every citizen for ending the crisis. But, I will always assure the public that I, as the President, will complete my responsibility with commitment, and for that purpose. I know that we need international support. Therefore, we expect to work together with other nations in a way that is more beneficial to our country, despite the divisions of power. We must not be left alone from the world, but be a country that should move forward, combined with the other countries of the world. We will not hesitate to take decisions required for that purpose. We also expect the much-needed support of the industrialists and the entrepreneurs of the country. 

“Finally, I must say that I was elected by the democracy of the country. The people have voted for me. There are people who didn’t vote for me. We have a clear understanding of the amount and the composition of our victory. My responsibility within this term is to build the confidence in that part of the public who don’t believe in us. I firmly believe that I will succeed in that purpose.” 

The Election Commission declared 56-year-old Dissanayake the winner on 22 September night after the second round of counting. Dissanayake defeated Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, his closest rival. In the Presidential Election held on 21 September, no candidate got more than the required 50% of votes in the first round of counting.