Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday declared victory in Sri Lanka’s highly anticipated presidential election. “This victory belongs to all of us,” Dissanayake announced via X, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.

According to preliminary tallies released by the Election Commission, Dissanayake secured 42% of the votes, positioning him ahead of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, who garnered 32%. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who led the nation during its recent economic crisis, fell to a distant third with just 17% of the vote.

Dissanayake’s campaign, which resonated with the working class and youth, capitalized on growing public discontent with the political elite, who many blame for Sri Lanka’s financial collapse. His message struck a chord with voters eager for reform and frustrated by the deepening economic woes.

While official results are still pending, Sri Lanka’s electoral system allows voters to select three candidates in order of preference. Should no candidate achieve more than 50%, the two leading contenders will face a runoff based on second-preference votes from the eliminated candidates.

Dissanayake’s strong performance, particularly compared to his previous 3% showing in the 2019 election, indicates a growing desire for change in the country, which has struggled to stabilize following a historic economic crisis. Wickremesinghe’s administration, which inherited an economy in free fall, has focused on debt restructuring, including an IMF bailout, but high taxes and rising living costs have continued to burden citizens.

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As Sri Lanka grapples with recovery, both Dissanayake and Premadasa have pledged to renegotiate the IMF deal to ease austerity measures. However, Wickremesinghe warned that such actions could delay the release of vital financial support crucial to maintaining economic stability.

Wickremesinghe’s foreign minister, Ali Sabry, extended congratulations to Dissanayake on social media, expressing hope for leadership marked by transparency and integrity. “I wish Mr. Dissanayake and his team every success in leading Sri Lanka forward,” Sabry stated.

(With inputs from Associated Press)