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Sri Lanka's New President: Leftist Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake
International Desk
23 Sep 2024, 08:34
Photo: Collected
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a leftist leader, has won the Sri Lankan presidential election. He defeated Sajith Premadasa and the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe in two rounds of voting to claim victory.
On Sunday, September 22, after the second round of vote counting, the country’s Election Commission declared Anura the winner. This marked a historic moment as the 55-year-old Dissanayake became the first leftist leader to become the head of state in the island nation. Sri Lanka now has an elected president for the first time in over two years, following the former president’s exile during mass protests in 2022.
According to the Election Commission’s announcement, after Saturday’s voting, Dissanayake secured 42.31% of the votes. His closest rivals, Sajith Premadasa, leader of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), received 32.76%, while the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe garnered only 17% of the vote.
Since no candidate secured 50% of the votes in the first round, a second round of counting was initiated. In this round, Dissanayake triumphed over Sajith Premadasa to claim victory.
Who is Dissanayake?
Dissanayake’s rise in politics resembles something of a fairy tale. He distinguished himself from established politicians by offering a fresh perspective, which helped him garner public support as a leftist leader.
Born in 1968, Dissanayake became politically active during his student years. Over time, he gained a reputation as a fierce critic of Sri Lanka’s corruption and weak governance. In 1995, he joined the Politburo of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). He was first elected as a lawmaker in 2000, served as Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation from 2004 to 2005, and worked as the Chief Opposition Whip from 2015 to 2018.
On February 2, 2014, Dissanayake was elected as the leader of the JVP at its 17th National Convention. His long political journey has made him an important and influential figure in Sri Lankan politics.
In this election, Dissanayake was the candidate of the NPP (National People's Power) coalition, led by the JVP. This coalition had never been the main opposition before, and had only three seats in Sri Lanka’s 225-member parliament.
However, after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country amid mass protests, the JVP’s popularity began to rise. The party had played an active role in those protests. Following the movement, the JVP called for broader systemic changes. Its firm stance on social justice and anti-corruption attracted citizens, increasing Dissanayake’s personal appeal as well.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the JVP had led two Marxist-inspired uprisings. However, the ruling powers brutally crushed these movements. The JVP faced mass arrests, torture, abductions, and mass killings, with at least 60,000 people associated with the party losing their lives, including its founder Rohana Wijeweera and most senior leaders.
After the uprisings failed, Dissanayake, now 55, became a member of the JVP’s Politburo, and the party moved away from violence. Analysts believe that Dissanayake has succeeded in building a broad coalition across different sectors of society, paving the way for his victory.
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Berlin agrees new security package after Solingen attack
German leaders have agreed on new security measures after a deadly knife attack at a street festival. The package aims to tackle Islamic extremism and loopholes in asylum law, as well as tighten rules on weapons.
Leading German government politicians on Thursday came up with a package of security measures that aim to prevent a repeat of the deadly knife attack in the western city of Solingen last week, in which three died.
The attack has ignited a renewed debate on migration and asylum law across the country, with the main suspect being a Syrian asylum-seeker who had been facing a deportation order that failed to be carried out. The 26-year-old man is believed to have links with the terror group "Islamic State" (IS), which claimed responsibility for the attack, though this has not been verified.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said the measures were designed to combat extremist Islamic ideology, to facilitate the deportation of rejected asylum-seekers and to tighten rules on weapons.
What does the package include?
Presenting the package in Berlin, Faeser said knives would be banned at public festivals, sporting events and similar public occasions.
There is also to be a "general knife ban" on long-distance trains and buses, she said, while the government would "introduce a general ban on the use of flick knives."
Faeser also said that benefits would be cut for those asylum-seekers for which another European state was responsible under the Dublin agreement, if that state agreed to the return of the person.
Under the EU-wide agreement, an asylum application is to be processed by the first country the asylum-seeker comes to.
Asylum-seekers are also to lose their protected status if they travel to their homelands unless for important reasons, such as the funeral of a family member. Ukrainian refugees are to be excepted from this rule.
Faeser said that requirements for a license to possess weapons would be tightened so that extremists had no access to weapons and explosives.
In addition, security authorities were to be given extended powers to fight Islamism.
Japan: Typhoon Shanshan brings heavy rains, halts transport
Typhoon Shanshan continued its journey after making landfall in Kyushu. The intensity decreased on the second day, but rains and winds still continued.
Typhoon Shanshan continued its slow journey across Japan on Friday, causing torrential rains and disrupting transport.
Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on the island of Kyushu on Thursday. It had weakened by Friday morning, but winds of up to 126 km (78 miles) per hour were still blowing.
The typhoon was near the coastal city of Kunisaki in Oita Prefecture at 8:45 a.m. (2345 GMT) and moving northeast, said authorities.
Heavy rains preceding the typhoon had killed a family of three on Tuesday, and two more were reported dead yesterday. Dozens have been injured, especially as the strong winds and rain shattered glass windows and ripped off roof tiles.
Which areas have been affected
More than four million people had been advised to evacuate, and authorities issued the highest alerts in some areas.
However, only some 30,000 had been evacuated as of Thursday, mainly in Kyushu, disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura said.
Around 125,000 households in seven prefectures had no power in Kyushu, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co.
Locals in the town of Ninomiya near Tokyo were asked to move to higher locations as a river flooded.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency said parts of Kyushu saw record rains, including Misato town which saw 791.5 millimeters (31 inches) in 48 hours.
Bullet trains in Kyushu were halted, and the route between Tokyo and Osaka was not running either. Several ferry and rail services were also canceled. Japan Airlines and ANA had already canceled about 600 flights for Friday.
Work remained suspended at factories of automakers Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, as well as chipmakers like Tokyo Electron.
Just earlier this month, Japan had been hit by Typhoon Ampil which disrupted transport and caused injuries and damage.
Japan has been seeing stronger and more intense typhoons, which tend to last longer due to climate change, say scientists.
Kamala Harris, Tim Walz defend policy ideas in TV interview
In the first major interview of her presidential campaign, Kamala Harris spoke about how she would tackle a raft of pressing domestic and international issues. Her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, also was there.
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended her policy stances during the first major television interview of her presidential campaign.
Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris addressed a wide array of subjects, including illegal migration, the economy, and the conflict in Gaza.
The 59-year-old Democratic presidential candidate said her positions had evolved on issues such as fracking and illegal migration over the Mexican border.
'I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,' Harris told CNN's Dana Bash.
Harris also said she would name a Republican to serve in her Cabinet if elected.
'Turning the page' on Trump
The first female, Black and South Asian vice president in US history meanwhile brushed aside Donald Trump's recent comments questioning her racial identity. 'Same old, tired playbook,' she said.
Harris noted that Americans were ready to 'turn the page' on divisions she blamed on Trump.
'Sadly in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, really dividing our nation,' she said.
'And I think people are ready to turn the page on that.'
On economy and immigration
The interview comes as polls show Harris and Trump remain neck and neck in battleground states.
Harris stressed her focus on strengthening the economy and addressing the cost of living.
She repeated her pledge to give tax cuts to families in the first year of a child's life 'to help pay for that car seat, or the crib, or the baby clothes.'
She also stated that she would not ban fracking, a key issue in the battleground state of Pennsylvania where November's election could be decided: 'As president, I will not ban fracking.'
On irregular immigration, she acknowledged that it's a problem and vowed 'consequences' for those illegally crossing the US-Mexican border.
'I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally... and I would enforce our laws as president going forward,' Harris said.
What did Harris say about the Mideast conflict?
When it came to foreign policy, Harris said a cease-fire and hostage release deal was needed in Gaza, noting that "too many innocent Palestinians have been killed."
She, however, reiterated support for Israel and said she would not change US President Joe Biden's policy on supplying Israel with arms for its military campaign in Gaza against local militant group Hamas.
'Israel has a right to defend itself ... and how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, and we have got to get a deal done,' she said.
DW's Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl said that Harris didn't gain much from the interview.
'Overall, she did not significantly gain anything from this, but she also did not lose anything. Given her poor history with interviews in the past, this could be seen as a success,' Pohl said. 'However, all eyes will now be on the debate with Donald Trump on September 10th, which will have a significantly greater impact than the oddly structured interview with CNN.'
Hurun India Rich List 2024 / Gautam Adani surpasses Mukesh Ambani
With a wealth of Rs 11.6 lakh crore, Gautam Adani (62) and his family replaced Mukesh Ambani and clinched the no.1 spot in the 2024 Hurun India rich list, a report said on Thursday. The report says India minted a new billionaire every 5 days last year.
Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Ambani's overall net worth increased by 25 percent to Rs 10.14 lakh crore, as per the 2024 Hurun India Rich List.
In 2023's report, Adani's wealth declined by 57 percent to Rs 4.74 lakh crore, and Ambani was way ahead with a fortune of Rs 8.08 lakh crore.
Hurun India Rich List 2024:
Mukesh Ambani has taken the second top spot in the 2024 Hurun India Rich List, with a wealth of Rs 1,014,700 crore. Shiv Nadar & family of HCL Technologies is in third place this year with a wealth of Rs 314,000 crore.
S Poonawalla & family of Serum Institute of India holds the fourth position in the list followed by Dilip Shanghvi of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.
Over the past five years, six individuals have consistently remained in the India Top 10. Leading the list is Gautam Adani & family, followed by Mukesh Ambani & family, Shiv Nadar, Cyrus S. Poonawalla & family, Gopichand Hinduja & family, and Radhakishan Damani & family.
Youngest Billionaire in India:
The youngest on the 2024 Hurun India rich list is 21-year-old Kaivalya Vohra of Zepto, a $5 bn quick commerce startup. His co-founder Aadit Palicha, 22, is the second youngest on the list.
India to continue work with interim government: Jaishankar
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that India will continue to work with the current interim government of Bangladesh.
He said this at an event in Delhi on Friday (August 30).
Jaishankar said, since the independence of Bangladesh, the relationship between the two countries has gone through various ups and downs. It has to be admitted that there has been a political change in Bangladesh and political changes can disrupt relations. But it is natural that we will discuss with the government who is in power.
Before this, on August 17, Prime Minister of India had a phone conversation with the chief advisor of Bangladesh Dr Muhammad Yunus. Dr Yunus assured the Indian Prime Minister of full security of all minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh.
Latest informations about Cyclone 'Asna'
A deep depression formed in the Arabian Sea has developed into a strong cyclone. The storm will hit the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat in the next 24 hours.
NDTV reported this news on Saturday (August 31) quoting India's Central Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to the report, the approaching cyclone has been named 'Asna'. Pakistan has kept this name. Apart from Gujarat, 'Asna' will also hit Pakistan's southeastern province, Sindh.
According to the latest IMD forecast, it is currently 250 km off the west coast of Naliya city in Gujarat, 160 km off the coast of Karachi in Pakistan and 350 km off the coast of Pasni in Balochistan. At present, Asna is moving at a speed of 14 kilometers per hour.
Apart from this, there is a distinct low pressure over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North-West Bay of Bengal. It may also slowly rise over the land and join the monsoon axis.
Due to the influence of both, rains may increase in North-Eastern region of Bangladesh especially Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi regions from September 3 or 4.
Impact of Cyclone Asna in Bangladesh
A deep depression formed in the Arabian Sea has developed into a strong cyclone. The storm will hit the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat in the next 24 hours.
In the meantime, 24 people have died due to heavy rains in Pakistan. Although the cyclone hit India and Pakistan, there is no danger of hitting Bangladesh. The Meteorological Department has said that there may be rain in the country under its influence.
India's Central Meteorological Department (IMD), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported this news on Saturday (August 31).
NDTV reported that the approaching cyclone has been named 'Asna'. Pakistan has kept this name. Apart from Gujarat, 'Asna' will also hit Pakistan's southeastern province, Sindh.
According to the latest IMD forecast, it is currently 250 km off the west coast of Nalia city in Gujarat, 160 km off the coast of Karachi in Pakistan and 350 km off the coast of Pasni in Balochistan.
At present, 'Asna' is moving at a speed of 14 kilometers per hour. Due to this, heavy rains have started in Jamnagar, Surat, Porbandar, Morbi, Dwarka and Kutch districts of Gujarat since last Wednesday night.
Floods have occurred in many areas of these districts due to heavy rains. However, in the last 24 hours, the highest rainfall has occurred in Kutch district.
IMD senior meteorologist Ramashray Yadav said, 'Kutch district has received 882 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, which is at least 50 percent more than the normal period. Apart from this, Surat and Kutch districts also received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.
Quoting the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), The Dawn reported that there is no direct threat to the coastal areas of their country due to Cyclone Asna. However, its impact is likely to bring gusty winds and moderate to heavy rains in several cities of Sindh and Balochistan between Friday and Saturday.
Thirteen members of a family were killed when the roof of their house collapsed due to a landslide in Upper Dir in the north. The victims were in their homes in Ramyal village when the landslide hit early Friday morning. At least 9 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Jamshoro, Dadu and Mirpurkhas districts of Sindh. Apart from this, more than 30 people were injured. A man and his sister died in a village in Toba Tek Singh. Apart from this, three people from the same family were injured when the roof of the house collapsed due to heavy rain.
Meteorologist Manowar Hossain told the media about whether this cyclone will have any effect on Bangladesh on Friday (August 30) night. He said, a cyclone (Asana) has formed in Gujarat, India. It may move north-west and coincide somewhat with the monsoon axis.
Apart from this, there is a distinct low pressure over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North-West Bay of Bengal. It may also slowly rise over the land and join the monsoon axis. Due to the influence of both, rains may increase in North-Eastern region of Bangladesh especially Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi regions from September 3 or 4.
