by Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, one of Sri Lanka’s most articulate political figures, was born on November 24, 1968, in Makulgaswewa. His parents, Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Ranbanda, a survey laborer, and Seelawathie, raised Anura in humble circumstances, along with his elder sister. In 1972, the family relocated to Andiagala, near Kekirawa, when Anura was four. He began his education at Thambuththegama Gamini Vidyalaya and later joined Thambuththegama Madhya Maha Vidyalaya for advanced-level studies. He excelled in his GCE O/L exams and became the first student from his school to gain admission to a university to pursue a degree in physical science.
During his school years, Anura helped his family with agricultural work and engaged in small businesses, like selling vegetables on trains. Despite financial struggles, he and his friends found ways to study, even using the local post office building for free electricity. Anura recalls how teachers, despite their own lack of knowledge, taught multiple subjects, going above and beyond to ensure their students succeeded.
Anura’s political involvement began at age 14 when he attended a JVP meeting led by Rohana Wijeweera. By 1987, during the Indo-Lanka conflict, he had officially joined the JVP under the influence of a party member named Sampath. He became actively involved in student politics, serving as the general secretary of the party in Anuradhapura, where he was known by the pseudonym “Bandara” for security reasons.
Tragedy struck in 1989 when two of Anura’s close relatives were killed by police, and his house was burned down during the JVP insurrection. His family fled to safety, and Anura continued his education while working as a volunteer math teacher at several schools and community centers. Despite being admitted to Peradeniya University, political unrest forced its temporary closure, leading him to transfer to Kelaniya University, where he eventually earned a degree in physical science in 1995.
Anura’s father passed away in 1994, around the time the JVP began to rebuild under Somawansa Amerasinghe’s leadership. Anura gave his first political speech in Kegalle during the 1994 election campaign and became increasingly involved in politics. Despite earning his degree, Anura chose to remain with the JVP, motivated by his desire to promote socialism and uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
In 1997, Anura became the national organizer of the Socialist Organisation and was appointed to the JVP central committee in 1998. Though unsuccessful in his bid for the North Central Province chief ministership that year, he entered Parliament through the JVP’s national list in 2000. His powerful speeches and commitment to the cause earned him widespread recognition.
Rise in Politics
In the 2001 General Election, the JVP won 16 parliamentary seats, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake was reappointed to Parliament. By 2004, he contested from the Kurunegala District and secured a record 153,868 votes, topping the district’s preferential vote list. This victory was part of a coalition against the UNP and LTTE’s ceasefire, with JVP playing a significant role in the newly formed government.
As Minister of Agriculture, Land, Irrigation, and Livestock, Anura spearheaded several initiatives, including the “Goviya Surakeema” project to restore 1,000 lakes. Under his leadership, the dairy industry thrived, especially through the “Deye Kiri Suwanda” programme, which boosted local dairy farms and revitalised the Milco organisation, turning it from a loss-making entity into a profitable venture. Anura’s hands-on approach included refusing luxury vehicles, redirecting those funds toward employee transportation, and achieving a record paddy harvest in a brief period.
However, the JVP ministers resigned after just 14 months due to disagreements with President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government, particularly over a controversial Tsunami relief board agreement with the LTTE. The JVP opposed the idea of incorporating the LTTE into mainstream politics, leading to their departure from the coalition.
Anura’s political career reached new heights in 2014 when he was elected the leader of the JVP following Somawansa Amerasinghe’s retirement. This marked a significant turning point as Anura became the party’s fifth leader at its seventh convention. Under his leadership, the JVP took a strong stance against corruption, waste, nepotism, and discrimination, positioning itself as the primary opposition to the ruling government.
Anura’s influence extended far beyond parliamentary debates. He became a leading voice against the Rajapaksa regime and was instrumental in organising opposition movements. From September 2015 to December 2018, Anura served as the main opposition whip in Parliament, consistently recognised for his energetic and dynamic leadership. His party collaborated with Sarath Fonseka’s People’s Democratic Party during this period, further solidifying his political network.
In 2015, Anura launched the “Jathika Jana Balawegaya,” an alliance of 28 political parties and associations under the JVP-NPP banner. The movement aimed to bring meaningful political change to Sri Lanka and restore public trust in the government.
Presidential Bid
In 2019, the JVP-NPP chose Anura Kumara Dissanayake as its Presidential Candidate, and he contested under the “Malimawa” symbol. Despite a large following and significant support from the working class, Anura only managed to secure 418,553 votes, amounting to just 3% of the total votes. While this result was disappointing, Anura remained committed to his political vision, ignoring suggestions to leave politics. Instead, he focused on strengthening the JVP and its alliances, preparing for future political battles.
Anura continues to be a highly influential figure in Sri Lankan politics. His speeches, often delivered without notes, resonate with audiences, highlighting the struggles of the impoverished and the need for systemic change. He firmly believes that governments have a responsibility to improve the lives of their citizens, ensuring that everyone can live with dignity and without constant struggle.
Anura’s leadership has been marked by his refusal to mix family life with politics. His focus remains solely on public service and promoting socialist ideals. He is a vocal critic of corruption, waste, and nepotism, and his consistent efforts to expose these issues have earned him respect across political divides. His vision is clear: he wants to provide a better life for Sri Lanka’s underprivileged, and he believes in empowering people through economic and social reform.
Anura’s reputation as a formidable orator has taken him around the world. He has been invited to speak in countries like India, China, Japan, the USA, the UK, Canada, and Sweden, addressing large audiences of NPP supporters. These international engagements have strengthened his global connections and bolstered the credibility of the NPP’s policies. While some visits were sponsored by the governments of India and China, others were organized by the NPP branches in various countries.
As Anura prepared for the 2024 Presidential Election, he faced competition from powerful political dynasties. Yet, his humble background, as the son of a surveying labourer and a student of Thambuththegama Central College, sets him apart from his more privileged rivals. His commitment to serving the people and addressing their needs makes him a strong contender in the race.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s electoral history reflects his journey from grassroots activism to national prominence. He has contested multiple elections, including the 2004 Parliamentary Election in Kurunegala, where he won 153,868 votes, and the 2015 Parliamentary Election in Colombo, where he garnered 65,966 votes. Despite losing the 2019 Presidential Election, he remains a key figure in Sri Lankan politics, leading the NPP into future challenges.
