Talk:Anura Kumara Dissanayake

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion:

• Anura K Dissanayaka.jpg

You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 14:22, 29 March 2022 (UTC)

rata obata barai 175.157.102.38 (talk) 09:17, 23 January 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 22 September 2024

Samantha De Silva Gamage (talk) 15:24, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

Becuase Anura Kumara Dissanayake is now president

 Not done. He is called president-elect until formally sworn in. Chanaka L (talk) 15:28, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

President, Sri Lanka

President, Sri Lanka 212.104.231.193 (talk) 15:50, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

No, He is not president until he is sworn in to office. Now it is president-elect. MAL MALDIVE (talk) 16:50, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 22 September 2024 (2)

Mr.Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the current president of srilanka. He is the 9th executive president of srilanka. He is selected as the president on 22nd of September 2024. He got highest votes in the presidential election. So i request you to update the details. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2402:D000:8110:7EAC:BC6C:DEC1:A473:A046 (talk) 18:24, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

 Not done Of any country, until the president is sworn in, meaning if he takes oath of office officially, he is president. Otherwise, it is called president-elect, even though he is elected to the position does not mean he is president yet. MAL MALDIVE (talk) 20:06, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

He is the 9th executive president of srilanka, Its shows in main window its 10th. Jayappiranavan (talk) 18:43, 24 September 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 September 2024

Amend Full name as Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake(දිසානායක මුදියන්සේලාගේ අනුර කුමාර දිසානායක ) also add his birthplace as Matale Sri Lanka Dissanayake12334 (talk) 02:21, 23 September 2024 (UTC)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Le8kZFzaS0Dissanayake12334 (talk) 02:21, 23 September 2024 (UTC) Dissanayake12334 (talk) 02:21, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

The report doesn't mention his full name. Currently cited source states he was born in Thambuththegama, not in Matale District. Chanaka L (talk) 02:45, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal havent you check the youtube video Dissanayake12334 (talk) 04:13, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal read this article carefully [1]https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c206l7pz5v1o as per the article he was born in Galewela, which is a town within Matale District.. Dissanayake12334 (talk) 04:18, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

The Ada Derana news report mention his father's and mother's full names, no his. For the birth birth place, can we agree that there are conflicting reports that says he is either born in Thambutthegama or Matale district? Chanaka L (talk) 04:53, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal I just pointed out facts. He was born in Galawela, Matale, and he used to live in Thambuttegama. Those are two different things, right? Dissanayake12334 (talk) 06:23, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

Machan, this article from Daily News and this interview with life.lk say that he was born in Thambuththegama. So, according to those he was born and raised in Anuradhapura District. That's why I said there are conflicting reports on his birth place. As for resolving the conflicting facts, I have no idea how to, I am afraid. Chanaka L (talk) 06:58, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal Ok leave it then ... There is a one more it should be the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka, not the 10th. Most of the information here is incorrect. Dissanayake12334 (talk) 07:01, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

He is the 10th overall and the 9th executive president of Sri Lanka. For further information, please refer to the article List of Presidents of Sri Lanka. QEnigma (talk) 17:27, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 September 2024 (2)

Change "Sri Lankan politician who is the 10th and current President of Sri Lanka" to "Sri Lankan politician who is the 9th and current President of Sri Lanka" SibySena18 (talk) 07:02, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

exactly RBSA RGR (talk) 16:43, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

 Not done He is the 10th overall and the 9th executive president of Sri Lanka. For further information, please refer to the article List of Presidents of Sri Lanka.

Semi-protected edit request on 23 September 2024 (3)

9th President Msmasfaq (talk) 07:16, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

exactly RBSA RGR (talk) 16:43, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

 Not done He is the 10th overall and the 9th executive president of Sri Lanka. For further information, please refer to the article List of Presidents of Sri Lanka.

Semi-protected edit request on 23 September 2024 (4)

I'm writing the request as there is an information error about the president. Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the ninth president not the tenth president of Sri Lanka. RBSA RGR (talk) 16:42, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

He is the ninth executive, and tenth overall president of the country. See the listicle List of presidents of Sri Lanka. Chanaka L (talk) 16:49, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

His family

Is there a source anywhere about his wife and kids. Can’t find anything online. So not sure why people added that Theeveralst (talk) 22:17, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 September 2024 (5)

He is the 9th president, not the 10th president. Gayansanka91 (talk) 23:04, 23 September 2024 (UTC)

 Not done for now: please establish a consensus for this alteration before using the {{Edit semi-protected}} template.

See the many previous requests on this page. RudolfRed (talk) 02:05, 24 September 2024 (UTC)

Far-left politician

Add "far-left" in his lead description, that's how reliable sources refer to him 5.35.115.76 (talk) 13:45, 26 September 2024 (UTC)

Edit request for typo

"He has indicated that his government would increase social welfare grants, while eliminating value-added taxes on essential items such as food, health services, medical equipment, and educational services His government would reduce the cost of living and increase taxes on the wealthy while supporting their businesses." There is a missing period between these two sentences. 140.177.181.180 (talk) 19:51, 28 September 2024 (UTC)

 Done. Nice spotting. Chanaka L (talk) 03:07, 29 September 2024 (UTC)

Is AKD Marxist?

I don't think so. I have only seen western media calling him Marxist or neo-Marxist. I think it is just their oversimplified biased worldview. Yes, JVP was a Marxist-Leninist party but that was before 1994, isn't? I would describe him and today's NPP mainstream leftist party/politician. Here IS I would arrange political parties on a spectrum,

• Sri Lanka Freedom Party: Centre-left
• Communist Party of Sri Lanka, LSSP and pre-1994 JVP: far-left
• contemporary NPP: mainstream left (somewhere in between above two ideologies)

I don't pretend to be an expert, just my two cents. Have a nice day, Chanaka L (talk) 02:18, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, interesting. International media (AP, AP, ABC) has defined AKD as Marxist, while others both in the west (Guardian) and near east (Aljazeera, Indian Express) have also called him Marxist or Marxist leaning. They have gone on say that the JVP has soften their Marxist ideology. Therefore, I disagree with your point that only western media is calling AKD Marxist. JVP is a founding party of the NPP. Although the NPP may present a broader socialist front, with some center left elements. The JVP remains deeply rooted its core Marxist principles. JVPAppuhamy (talk) 04:17, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

Okay, I was wrong to say only western media label him as such. But consider this google search: "National People's Power" "marxism" Sri Lankan media very rarely use the "marxist" adjective to describe NPP. I think therefore I can reframe my original position "Why do only foreign media use the marxist adjective but hardly any Sri Lankan media?"

In fact, this themorning.lk article dispels the Marxist label outrightly. It goes on to say,

“This is also reflected in the symbols associated with the party, such as the hammer and sickle displayed on the flag outside its Headquarters, a common emblem of communist countries. However, Dissanayake’s current economic policies are shaped by the National People’s Power (NPP), a broader alliance. The NPP does not advocate for Marxist policies and its manifesto does not align with Marxism.” Dr. Wijewardena explained that while the manifesto emphasised the expansion of the State sector, this approach was more accurately described as dirigisme – a system where the state played a significant role in economic planning and activity.

To answer the latter part of your reply, I would question 'Irrespective of how anyone would describe NPP or AKD, what do NPP and AKD do in practice?' Their policies suggest they are now a mainstream socialist party. Best, Chanaka L (talk) 05:32, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, what is the standard in Wikipedia to deal with references? I mean, an international news agency such as AP or Aljazeera would have better acceptance than the themorning.lk? And to answer your question, what the NPP does or AKD does might not change who they are. Dr N. M. Perera was Trotskyist, but he was the Finance Minister in what was a Laboure type government. The policy of the government one is doesn't change one's core values. In AKD's case he is still the leader of the JVP and the JVP has not openly declared that they have changed from being Marxist. As such its correct to call AKD a Marxist, after all there are references to back it up as Wikipedia wants in WP:RS. JVPAppuhamy (talk) 07:10, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

The Morning is a national broadsheet published by Derana. Needless to say, its owner Dilith Jayaweera is a political rival of AKD and NPP. Therefore, there is no doubt about its reliability. As far as I know, there is no hierarchy of reliable sources. A local source is just as good as a foreign source. However, in my opinion, a local newspaper may be more attuned to the intricacies and nuances of local politics than foreign newspapers and agencies. I am sorry, I don't think N. M. Perera's analogy would fit in this particular case. N. M. was a minority member of a coalition government. Here, AKD is the leader of the majority party of a nominal coalition. Unlike N. M., AKD gets to exercise his and his party's policies in this government. Therefore I propose a compromise wording.

• Proposed wording (to be added to the end of the first para of the lead): While some media have described his ideologies as Marxist or Marxist-leaning,<enter existing refs here> others have rejected these notions.<enter themorning.lk ref>

Chanaka L (talk) 11:16, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, are you saying that "others have rejected these notions" based on the single source? And you are saying that an article by a business journalist on a political topic of this nature has more credibility than a whole lot of international media outlets that are quoted by other outlets? Sounds to me you are trying to make a fringe theory fly. JVPAppuhamy (talk) 12:25, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

What do you think, 42% of Sri Lankans voted for a far-left leader or 42% of voters voted mainstream leftist leader? Chanaka L (talk) 12:43, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, think 42% of the votes who voted for a revolution. They just didn't care if it was left or right. In your words, 42% voted a left leader and 50.2% voted for two right leaders. I think, we need to write the facts here not our own analysis. Majority of the media outlets claim that AKD is a Marxist. Perhaps because that's what he was fighting for all his life. AKD for his part has not clarified his change of political philosophy clearly enough for these media outlets to change. You and the The Morning Business Editor are doing a very high-level analysis here. Unless you can provide more RS to backup your theory, I would suggest that you remove the dubious tag. Its not proper to have such a tag when there are five RS saying the exact same thing. JVPAppuhamy (talk) 13:23, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

I am afraid, your mainstream theory still has not explained why it's mainly foreign media doing this labelling and why is local media mainly silent on this topic. Does local media think somehow AKD's political orientation is the emperor's new clothes? You are trying to mischaracterize The Morning article. If it was the journalist's opinion piece, I would've agreed with your argument. But it is certainly not an opinion piece, it is an investigative article. The article contains the opinions of five academics and business leaders such as Dr W.A. Wijewardena, Chayu Damsinghe, Murtaza Jafferjee (a certain capitalist), Professor Priyanga Dunusinghe, and Professor Sirimal Abeyratne. I find your notion that international media has better acceptance than local sources repulsive and ridiculous. For the time being, I leave the tag intact as other editors also have contested the Marxist notion. I don't mind if it is removed after a consensus is reached by other editors. Chanaka L (talk) 14:19, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, I am sorry that you feel that way. I don't agree with your stubbornness to insist on a single article to justify your use of the dubious tag. In shear numbers, the claim for "Marxist politician" is backed by no less than 5 RS. As such how do you say its dubious when the count is 5 to 1 for it. Can you please show me the WP rule that says otherwise? JVPAppuhamy (talk) 14:47, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

I found half a dozen sources that either question the Marxist description or describe it as a former political position of his or his party.

Source	Wording
NDTV, The Straights Times, The India Times	"a previously fringe Marxist politician"
theconversation.com	"the party shifted toward democratic politics and has remained so for over three decades"
Wijetilleke, Kusum (The Morning)	"a candidate from an explicitly Marxist-Leninist party but with a fresh coat of paint in the form of a Centre-Left progressive platform"
Foreign Policy In Focus	Did Sri Lanka swap austerity Capitalism for “Marxism”?
The Indian Express	"JVP witnessed a shift to democratic politics, indicating the softening of Marxist goals"
BBC	"A former Marxist"

Chanaka L (talk) 15:35, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, thanks this proves that its correct to call AKD a Marxist politician in the header. Please see the headlines of these articles you shared:

1. NDTV - Marxist Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Wins Sri Lanka's Presidential Elections
2. The Straights Times - Marxist politician Dissanayake is declared Sri Lanka’s president-elect
3. The India Times - Sri Lanka Elections 2024: Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins presidential
4. The Indian Express - How Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s Presidency, erasing a violent past, balancing class struggle and pragmatism

Your cheery picked terms such as "shift to democratic politics" and "softening of Marxist goals" doesn't change the fact that AKD has left his Marxist ideology. I don't understand what Niazi really meant by His intellectual fidelity to Marxism was presented as something akin to terminal illness., my take is that Niazi believes that AKD is Marxist at heart.

In fact, your quote of Wijetilleke does share light on it. Wijetilleke says "a candidate from an explicitly Marxist-Leninist party but with a fresh coat of paint in the form of a Centre-Left progressive platform". That indicates that AKD who is Marxist is now appearing Centre-Left for the election. Meaning that's what has been presented to the local population, where as the international media has not accepted this fresh coat of paint. The actions of the AKD administration eco classic Marxist thinking (eg. Stopping the privatization of Sri Lankan Airlines, centralizing privately owned Rice distribution, etc.). Classic Marxist election strategies too reflect such as the use of local cells and party management of preferential votes. Hence your hopes and reality might not be the same.

Therefore, until such time it is established in mainstream media and academia that AKD has changed his principles. This should remain. Please therefore remove the tag the count is now 11 to 2. JVPAppuhamy (talk) 23:41, 1 November 2024 (UTC)

I am sorry I find your argument logically flawed.

Source	Heading/Statement 1	Body/Statement 2
NDTV	"Marxist Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Wins Sri Lanka's Presidential Elections"	"previously fringe Marxist"
The Straits Times	"Marxist politician Dissanayake is declared Sri Lanka’s president-elect"
The India Times	"Sri Lanka Elections 2024: Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake wins presidential polls"

Now let's consider the logic,

Statement 1: Person A is an "X"ist

Statement 2: Person A is previously "X"ist

Your conclusion: Person A must be "X"ist still.

My conclusion: If Statement 1 is true, then Statement 2 must be false. If Statement 2 is true, then Statement 1 must be false. Both statements cannot be true at the same time. Therefore saying "Person A must be "X"ist still." is doubtful.

I am sorry it is you who is cherry picking. You keep saying AKD has not left his Marxist ideology as if it is somehow a fact when enough sources are saying he was a Marxist in the past but since then has softened or shifted his stance. The point of Niazi is the irony, hence the "Marxism" styled in quotes. Consider his text Dissanayake and PLF’s ideas on an economy that works for everyone fall within mainstream left thinking. Dissanayake echoes former British Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Social Democrat, on robust state intervention. Again it is needless to say, neither Corbyn nor Sanders is Marxist (although Trump supporters love to disparage him as a commie). Jayatilleke plays down the Marxist label. Whether AKD is a Marxist is perhaps not as important as what he represents in the modern context. While AKD’s discourse has Marxist elements, it is also refined for this specific period. AKD does not paint himself as a revolutionary in the traditional sense; he is instead calling for a more personally fulfilling type of capitalism....

The government abandoned the sale process of SriLankan well before the election. It has little to do with the government policies. The internal organization of NPP is unique to them. In the 2020 elections, SLPP emulated NPP's organization strategy and won the election.

My reasonable conclusion is there are enough sources to question the Marxist label. The two The Morning articles are dedicated to discussing the issue. On the other hand, the Marxist label has been used very liberally in the current sources without any lengthy discussion as demonstrated in the below table.

Source	Wording	WP:SIGCOV?
AP	"Who is Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s new Marxist president?"	No, WP:PASSING
The Guardian	"traditionally a staunchly Marxist party [JVP]", "National People’s Power (NPP), a broader leftist coalition that has toned down some of the more extreme Marxist ideologies"	No, WP:PASSING. Indicates changing positions.
The Indian Express	"How Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s Presidency, erasing a violent past, balancing class struggle and pragmatism", "But Anura’s evolution as a political leader happened when JVP witnessed a shift to democratic politics, indicating the softening of Marxist goals"	Indicates changing positions.
Al Jazeera	"Sri Lanka elects Marxist-leaning Dissanayake as president to fix economy"	In heading and once after. No justification
ABC	"Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads Sri Lanka's presidential vote as second round of vote counting begins"	No, WP:PASSING
CNN	"Sri Lankans elect Marxist-leaning Dissanayake as president to fix economy"	WP:PASSING. Says Marxist or Marxist-leaning thrice.
Hindustan Times	"Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads in Sri Lanka's presidential election"	Brief mention of the word, no justification.

Therefore, I justify the dubious tag and if you feel differently please take the issue to the dispute resolution process kindly. Chanaka L (talk) 07:12, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

@Chanakal, interesting argument, I am inclined to accept it to some extent. However, I feel its still week.

1. You mentioned that you are not an expert. Hence this analysis needs to come from a peer reviewed journal or paper. Else its WP:OR.
2. The newspaper article I feel is not strong enough here since its by the Business Editor, WP:CONTEXTMATTERS
3. Niazi is the best source, so it can be included in the article with attribution to him. WP:ATT

Abandoning the sale process since no one wants to buy it is different from saying that it should be kept [2]. What is the reference you have that the SLPP copied the NPP?

You seem to be using WP rules incorrectly.

1. WP:PASSING - is related to topic's notability not for a citing content.
2. dubious tag - Implausible information, without providing adequate references.

I think you should read some of the relevant rules, I did and found them very interesting.

1. WP:SYNTH - Do not combine material from multiple sources to state or imply a conclusion not explicitly stated by any of the sources.
2. WP:FRINGE - describe an idea that departs significantly from the prevailing views or mainstream views in its particular field.

Therefore, since ample WP:RS have been provided to confirm that the mainstream view that AKD is a Marxist politician, I am removing the dubious tag, since its now been used improperly. If you feel differently kindly take the issue to the dispute resolution process as you mentioned, since you are refuting the mainstream view per the provided RS. JVPAppuhamy (talk) 12:58, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

Removing 'His Excellency' title before Presidents' name

Since Ranil Wickremesinghe abolished Presidential Flag and honorary title according to this Deccan Herald article should we have to remove the honorary title? (But according to Constitution President Anura Kumara Dissanayake still eligible for it and it is unclear that whether he abolished or prohibited the use of it) Parallax94 (talk) 04:21, 23 November 2024 (UTC)

Its informal, both Anura and Ranil is refered to as His Excellensy in official sources. Eg: Ranil and Anura. - UtoD 09:08, 23 November 2024 (UTC)

Yes it seems so Parallax94 (talk) 08:15, 29 November 2024 (UTC)