The Congress congratulates the President-elect of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake

New Delhi: Congress on Monday congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory in the Sri Lankan presidential election and said the Indian people look forward to strengthening ties and shared values ​​for the benefit of the region.

Marxist leader Dissanayake was declared the winner of Sri Lanka's presidential election by the country's Election Commission after an unprecedented second round of vote counting.

Dissanayake, 56, leader of the National People's Power (NPP), the broader front of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: “On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I warmly congratulate Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.” India and Sri Lanka have a centuries-old tradition of multifaceted cooperation and interaction, he said in a post on X.

“The people of India look forward to strengthening our ties and shared values ​​for the benefit of our region,” Kharge said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said: “Congratulations and all the best to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.” “May our countries continue to work together for mutual growth and progress,” the former Congress leader said.