Congress Salutes Anura Kumara Dissanayake's Presidential Victory in Sri Lanka

The Congress Party congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his win in the Sri Lankan presidential elections. Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, won against Sajith Premadasa. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed hopes for strengthened ties between India and Sri Lanka.

The Congress Party on Monday extended its congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake following his victory in the Sri Lankan presidential elections, asserting that the people of India are eager to strengthen regional ties and shared values.

The Marxist leader Dissanayake was declared the election winner by Sri Lanka's Election Commission after an unprecedented second counting round. Dissanayake, 56, who leads the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party's broader front National People's Power (NPP), triumphed over Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated, ''On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.'' He emphasized the historic legacy of cooperation and mutual interaction between India and Sri Lanka. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also extended his congratulations, expressing hopes for continued mutual growth and progress.

(With inputs from agencies.)