Minutes before the official opening of candidacies, Sajith Premadasa tweeted that “for the greater good of my country which I love and the people I cherish”, his party will support Dullas Alahapperuma to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa who resigned last week. last. The latter fled the country after massive anti-government protests over the cost of living.
Three candidates were nominated by parliament on Tuesday: interim president Ranil Wickremesinghe will be opposed in a secret ballot vote on Wednesday to former education minister Dullas Alahapperuma – backed by the main opposition party – and to the leader of the left, Anura Dissanayake.
Ranil Wickremesinghe supported by the resigning president
Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been prime minister six times, is supported for this post by the party of the resigning president. On Monday, July 18, the interim president extended the state of emergency, giving sweeping powers to the police and security forces.
The island of 22 million people has suffered severe shortages of basic necessities since late last year, with the country running out of foreign currency to fund essential imports.
Sri Lanka defaulted on its $51 billion external debt in mid-April and is in talks with the IMF for a possible bailout. The new leader will serve for the remainder of Sajith Rajapaksa’s term, which ends in November 2024.