Sri Lanka: Ranil Wickremesinghe becomes new President

Sri Lanka has found its successor to the fallen Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Ranil Wickremesinghe has become its President. Earlier, he served SL as a PM multiple times. He has been elected as 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka today. His age is 73. He received 134 votes, while his opponents polled 82 votes (Dullas Allahaperuma) and 3 votes (Anura K Dissanayake).

“This is simply another milestone in my career. I hope that at least now you will cultivate the mentality to listen to the suffering masses,” Wickremesinghe has been quoted as saying by Reuters. The newly-elected president also invited all parties in Parliament to work together on a new strategy for fulfilling the aspirations of the people, reported a media house.

The new leader’s admirers are celebrating the moment. “A historic day for Sri Lanka. Imagining how parents of this generation would tell their offspring the tale of one Ranil Wickremesinghe, a tale of how one must work hard for their dreams, against all odds,” journalist Kalani Kumarasinghe wrote.

Meanwhile, those who are in his support are protesting the election. In Colombo, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat to agitate against the election.