Marxist politician Anura Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s presidential election over the weekend, dealing a blow to a political old guard that has been widely blamed for the unprecedented economic crisis that hit the South Asian island nation two years ago.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's win in the Sri Lankan presidential election poses a new challenge for India. Despite his Marxist party's anti-India stance, India's recent outreach efforts have improved ties.

With Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake winning the hotly contested Sri Lankan presidential poll, India is faced with another challenge in the neighbourhood of dealing with a leader who remains a relatively unknown quantity.