As the financial disaster and subsequent violence in Sri Lanka mounts, the island nation is all set to carry an election to decide on its ninth President to succeed former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
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Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the nation on July 13 amid the protests, despatched his resignation late on July 14, which was accepted by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on July 15. The similar day, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was handpicked by Rajapaksa, took cost because the appearing President.
Here is a recap of the run-up to the Sri Lankan Presidential elections:
Sri Lanka’s Parliament will conduct an election on Wednesday to elect a brand new President. The nominations had been filed on Tuesday and the outcomes might be declared on Thursday, July 21.
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Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Education minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake and former Information, and Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma have submitted their nominations for the topmost put up within the nation.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa withdrew his nomination and backed Alahapperuma. “For the greater good of my country that I love and the people I cherish, I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the position of President,” he stated.
For the larger good of my nation that I really like and the individuals I cherish I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the place of President. @sjbsrilanka and our alliance and our opposition companions will work arduous in direction of making @DullasOfficial victorious.
— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) July 19, 2022
Wickremesinghe (73) is the frontrunner within the election as supported by the Rajapaksas’ Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which has 100 MPs, making it the biggest bloc within the 225-member Parliament.
Wickremesinghe could have robust competitors from SLPP dissident and former training minister 63-year-old Dullas Alahapperuma. The third candidate is 53-year-old Anura Dissanayake, who’s supported by the People’s Liberation Front.
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