Posted 20 июля 2022,, 10:00

Published 20 июля 2022,, 10:00

Modified 24 декабря 2022,, 22:37

Updated 24 декабря 2022,, 22:37

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe is the new President of Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe is the new President of Sri Lanka

20 июля 2022, 10:00
Фото: Соцсети
According to the results of the parliamentary vote, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the country's current prime minister and interim president, became the eighth president of Sri Lanka.

The voting results were announced by Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeiwardena.

“Wikremesinghe was elected to the presidency with a total of 134 votes and MP Dullas Alahapperuma came in second with 82 votes. Meanwhile MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake got 3 votes”, - Sri Lankan newspaper Adaderana reported.

Wickramasinghe was appointed Prime Minister on 12 May 2022. Prior to that, he served as head of government of Sri Lanka four times: in 1993-1994, 2001-2004, 2015-2018, 2018-2019.

The reason for the snap election of the head of state was the resignation of President Gotabay Rajapaksa after mass protests. The riots are caused by a deep economic crisis and a shortage of essential goods. The protesters seized the residence of the President and the Prime Minister. Rajapaksa himself fled the country. On July 18, the interim president declared a state of emergency in Sri Lanka. Wikramasinghe is considered one of Rajapaksa's close associates, and his election to the presidency may result in new protests.

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