evidence: But Dissanayake’s popularity has been on the rise since the mass protest movement – known as the Aragalaya [Sinhalese for "struggle"] – erupted against then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both were forced to resign. The 55-year-old Dissanayake played an active role in the protest movement and has been critical of a $2.9 billion bailout deal Wikremesinghe struck with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has increased the cost of living for Sri Lankans. [...] While some economic indicators have improved under Wickremasinghe, critics say that has come at a cost: IMF loans have meant that taxes and electricity prices have been hiked as part of the deal with the international lender.