Party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president wins majority in parliament

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, centre, leaves after casting his vote during the parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has won a two-thirds majority in parliament, according to official election results, providing a strong mandate for his programme for economic revival.

Mr Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Party won 159 of the 225 seats, according to the Elections Commission.