Sri Lanka’s incumbent president has become the country’s new permanent leader after being elected in a parliamentary vote.
Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed prime minister in May 2022, but was temporarily in charge of the presidency on July 13 after his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives.
Sri Lanka is in the midst of an economic crisis and has been unable to pay for crucial imports such as food, fuel and medicines.
Rajapaksa fled after thousands of protesters stormed his presidential residences and other government buildings, demanding his resignation.
Those in Sri Lanka had previously called for the resignation of Mr. Wickremesinghe as prime minister, and protesters set fire to his private home and stormed the prime minister’s office in Colombo.
Wickremesinghe defeated his main rival for the post, Dalus Alahapperuma, with 134 votes to 82.
After his election, the new leader told lawmakers that Sri Lanka is “in a very difficult situation,” adding that “we have great challenges ahead.”
He hopes to restore political stability so that Sri Lanka can resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package after talks have recently stalled.
But his election could spark more protests with opponents calling for Wickremesinghe to resign.
He has previously served as Prime Minister six times and has been involved in Sri Lankan politics for 45 years.
Image: Ranil Wickremesinghe was formerly the Prime Minister
About 100 people gathered on the steps of the presidential secretariat, with a protester who was said to be “shocked.”
“He is a person who manages things in a very cunning way,” protester Damitha Abeyrathne said of Wickremesinghe.
“It will start to control us in a different way. As protesters, we will start our fight again.”
Analysis
Dominic Waghorn
Editor of International Affairs
@DominicWaghorn
The news of the parliament caused commotion among the protesters.
Deputies voted to replace the hated President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had been ousted.
Protesters were expected to vote for a government of national unity.
Instead, they have opted for a man seen as a puppet of the Rajapaksa clan.
Ranil Wickremesinghe is despised by protesters.
His choice has caused disappointment and anger: many lost their words.
What happens next, however, depends on the public’s appetite for more protest.
Will people stay home and give Wickremesinghe a chance to save their collapsing economy?
Or will they return to the streets with the figures we saw last week, reoccupy government buildings and demand significant change?
Chameera Dedduwage, organizer of previous protests, said one of the movement’s goals was to oust Mr. Rajapaksa and, with this achieved, “will have to be satisfied with its main demand.”
“Unlike GR, Ranil is not a populist: he is known to be a ruthless pragmatist,” Dudduwage said.
Image: While some were surprised by the result, others celebrated the decision
Following the result, spokesman Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena postponed parliament until July 27.