Sri Lanka's New President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Advocates for Neutral Foreign Policy Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Sri Lanka's newly elected President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has taken a firm stance on foreign policy, emphasizing that the nation does not want to be "sandwiched" between regional powers China and India. Dissanayake, who assumed office after displacing former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, has vowed to pursue a balanced and neutral foreign policy, avoiding involvement in global geopolitical rivalries.

In a recent interview with Monocle magazine, Dissanayake underscored Sri Lanka’s intent to build strong diplomatic relations with both China and India while maintaining partnerships with other regions such as the European Union, the Middle East, and Africa. He stressed the importance of Sri Lanka's sovereignty and avoiding entanglement in the power struggles between global superpowers.

Domestically, Dissanayake faces the daunting challenge of leading the country out of its worst economic crisis in over seven decades. With an external debt of €34 billion and a steep rise in poverty levels, the president has outlined his goal to implement economic reforms aimed at pulling the country out of financial collapse.

Dissanayake also criticized previous governments for following a neoliberal economic model, which he believes led to Sri Lanka’s current financial distress. As the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) party, he promised that under his administration, the country would work towards restoring stability and growth.

His victory, with 1.27 million votes, signaled a rejection of the ruling and opposition parties' economic policies. China, Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditor, congratulated Dissanayake, expressing hope for national stability and economic development under his leadership.