"We need to establish a new clean political culture," he said during his swearing-in speech. "I have said before that I am not a magician; I am an ordinary citizen. There are things I know and don't know. My utmost objective is to gather those with the knowledge and skills to help lift this country."
Dissanayake challenged the established political order accused of corruption and mismanagement, which resonated deeply with millions of Sri Lankans during his campaign.
Dissanayake gained prominence as a student leader before becoming a part of JVP's central committee in 1997. He later entered Parliament and became a cabinet minister in President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's government.
One of Dissanayake's first major challenges will be to ease austerity measures imposed by his predecessor under an IMF relief agreement.
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