The commission said Dissanayaka won the presidency with 42.31 per cent of the vote

Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken a commanding lead in the presidential election, winning approximately 53 per cent of the counted votes.

Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake was leading Sri Lanka’s presidential election after knocking out the incumbent liberal President Ranil Wickremesinghe from the race, as officials on Sunday began a second round of vote counting for the first time in the nation's history. More information with FRANCE 24 journalist in New Delhi, India, Sarah Jacob.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, in his initial response said the unity of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and all Sri Lankans is the bedrock of the new beginning.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning candidate, is currently leading Sri Lanka's presidential election with 53% of votes counted.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and Namal Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party cast their votes on...