Colombo: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's coalition, the National People's Power (NPP), is set to win a majority in a snap general election, results from the Indian Ocean island's poll body showed on Friday.

Voters have handed Anura Kumara Dissanayake a significant win in a snap general election, giving its new leftist president greater legislative power to pursue policies to alleviate poverty.

Mr Dissanayake was elected president in September in a rejection of traditional political parties that have governed the island nation.