📈 President AKD's 'Business as Usual' Birthday & Rise to Power

• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) recently marked his 57th birthday (Nov 24) by observing it as a simple "business as usual" day, without publicity or fanfare, a notable contrast to past presidents. • His public persona is that of a simple, unassuming man, quickly acquiring the image of "a President like no other." His double-pocketed long-sleeve shirts are becoming a popular fad among youthful admirers. • AKD's journey highlights his humble beginnings: Born in Galewala, Matale, his family moved to Anuradhapura. He helped his mother sell sweetmeats and worked part-time as a ditch digger to augment family income. • He was the first from Thambuththegama Central College to gain admission to the Peradeniya University science faculty and later obtained a BSc from Kelaniya University. • Politically, he joined the JVP in 1987 and became the party's fifth leader in 2014. He spearheaded the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (NPP), which secured his victory in the 2024 Presidential election. • In the election, AKD was projected as a champion for change and the common man. He polled 5,634,915 votes (42.31%) on the first count and a winning 5,740,179 votes (55.89%) on the second count.