According to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ), President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and prime minister Lawrence Wong wrote to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to congratulate him on his victory on Friday ( Sep 27 ).
The 55-year-old was sworn into office on Monday, after he won the presidency with 42.3 per cent of the voting in the Sep 21 elections.  ,
His closest rival, opposition head Sajith Premadasa, took 32.8 per share while former Ranil Wickremesinghe finished third with 17 per cent.  ,
Mr Dissanayake is Sri Lanka’s second communist leader. The , earlier border lawmaker saw a wave of support after the government’s 2022 economic problems forced difficulties on ordinary citizens.  ,
Show OF CONFIDENCE
In his notice on Monday, Mr Tharman extended his best congratulations.
” It is a show of the assurance that the Sri Lankan people have in you to lead the country forwards”, Mr Tharman said of Mr Dissanayake’s vote.  ,
Singapore and Sri Lanka enjoy “warm and historic relationships”, underpinned by both countries ‘ near financial assistance and people-to-people relations, he added.  ,
As we commemorate 55 times of political relations between our two nations in 2025, I look forward to working with you.
Mr. Wong also noted the long-standing compassion that Singapore and Sri Lanka share, which is supported by common interests in a range of fields, including capacity-building and carbon credits.
We work nicely together at bilateral forums, and we are also members of the Commonwealth and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, according to Mr. Wong.
We did observe the 55th anniversary of the establishment of our political relationships in the coming year. Working with you to expand the marriage is something I look forward to doing.
Mr. Tharman and Mr. Wong wished Mr. Dissanayake the best of health and achievements.