The 55-year-old candidate has been boosted by his promises of tough anti-corruption measures and bigger welfare schemes.

Two years ago, tens of thousands of Sri Lankans rose up against their president and forced him to flee the country.

Under normal circumstances, the victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sri Lanka's presidential election would have been called a political earthquake. But with many having labelled the left-leaning politician as a strong frontrunner in the run-up to the poll,