Anura Kumara Dissanayake may lack the political lineage of some of his rivals, but his leftist policies to help the poor and stirring speeches have made him a leading candidate in Sri Lanka's presidential election on Saturday.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a prominent candidate in Sri Lanka's presidential election, known for his leftist policies and anti-corruption promises. Despite limited parliamentary seats, Dissanayake has seen a surge in popularity with his pledge for change and economic reforms at a time of national crisis.

Dissanayake’s rise reflects widespread voter frustration with established politicians in the wake of Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, challenging the traditional dominance of Sajith Premadasa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe.