Sri Lanka’s six-time prime minister is elected as president

SRI LANKA’S six-time prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was yesterday overwhelmingly elected as president to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the crisis-wracked country and resigned last week.

Wickremesinghe won 134 votes in parliament, with his main opponent, Dullas Alahapperuma, receiving 82 and Leftist Anura Dissanayake just 3 – giving him an absolute majority on first preferences.

“Our divisions are now over,” Mr Wickremesinghe said in a brief acceptance speech in parliament, inviting Mr Alahapperuma “to join me and work together to bring the country out of the crisis we are facing”.

Meanwhile, the mood at the protest site outside Colombo’s presidential palace was subdued. Many feel Mr Wickremesinghe is little more than a stooge for the Rajapaksa family. Protesters could not hide their shock as most had hoped Mr Alahapperuma would win.