Sri Lankan Presidential election updates: Anti-govt protesters raise slogans against Wickremesinghe

By Anuj Cariappa

Updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 15:22 [IST]

Colombo, July 20: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Wednesday elected as Sri Lanka's new President by Parliament, following a high-voltage political drama which saw his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and resigning after a popular uprising against his government for mismanaging the economy.

The 73-year-old six-time prime minister secured 134 votes in the 225-member House while his nearest rival and dissident ruling party leader Dullas Alahapperuma got 82. Leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake secured just three votes.

Sri Lankan Presidential election LIVE: Wickremesinghe, 2 other MPs in fray

Catch Highlights Here:

Jul 20, 2022, 1:22 PM IST

Protesters gather outside the Presidential Secretariat after Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as Sri Lanka President.

Jul 20, 2022, 1:10 PM IST

The country is in a very difficult situation, we have big challenges ahead, says Sri Lanka's newly appointed President Ranil Wickremesinghe: Reuters

Jul 20, 2022, 12:46 PM IST

Ranil Wickremesinghe elected as the new President of Sri Lanka: Reuters

Jul 20, 2022, 12:16 PM IST

Meanwhile, a silent protest is being held outside the Presidential secretariat in Colombo.

Jul 20, 2022, 12:14 PM IST

Any candidate desires to be present at the counting of votes he may do so or if he wishes to appoint another member to represent him at the counting to be informed to the returning officer after obtaining the consent of that member, Sri Lankan Secy-General announces to the House.

Jul 20, 2022, 12:14 PM IST

The returning officer will examine ballot papers and after rejecting invalid ballot papers if any, divide the remaining as per 1st preferences recorded for each candidate. He shall then count no. of preferences recorded for each candidate.

Jul 20, 2022, 12:04 PM IST

The voting for the Presidential election has ended and the counting of votes is on to declare the next President of Sri Lanka.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:59 AM IST

The vote counting process commences with the Secretary-General of Parliament checking for valid and invalid votes.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:29 AM IST

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa casts his ballot.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:27 AM IST

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe votes in the Presidential Election in Parliament.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:12 AM IST

General Secretary of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNFP), MP Selvarasa Gajendran has abstained from voting, reports Sri Lanka's NewsWire.

Jul 20, 2022, 10:54 AM IST

TNA will be voting for Dullas Alahapperuma in the Presidential election, says TNA's Jaffna district's Member of Parliament Sumanthiran.

Jul 20, 2022, 10:22 AM IST

Voting begins for Sri Lankan Presidential election, reports Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror

Jul 20, 2022, 10:17 AM IST

Security tightened outisde Sri Lanka Parliament amid election.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:41 AM IST

We want to have joy again...The new President shouldn't take decisions just for his glory, & work for nations' betterment. Our concern is that those nominated are the same people, we don't expect much change, say Sri Lankans as the island nation is set to elect a new President today.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:13 AM IST

'We are watching you': Protesters to Sri Lankan Parliament ahead of presidential election

Jul 20, 2022, 9:08 AM IST

"Will champion anti-corruption, prosperity for all, credible & transparent government," tweets Sri Lanka LoP Sajith Premadasa as he arrived at Parliament Premadasa yesterday withdrew his candidacy for the position of President.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:07 AM IST

Sri Lankan MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has vowed to form an interim government and call for an election within six months if elected President.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:07 AM IST

The same day, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was handpicked by Rajapaksa, took charge as the acting President.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:06 AM IST

Rajapaksa, who fled the country on July 13 amid the protests, sent his resignation late on July 14, which was accepted by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on July 15.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:05 AM IST

Sri Lanka is set to hold elections today to get a new President to succeed former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:05 am IST

Sri Lanka is set to hold elections today to get a new President to succeed former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:06 am IST

Rajapaksa, who fled the country on July 13 amid the protests, sent his resignation late on July 14, which was accepted by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on July 15.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:07 am IST

The same day, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was handpicked by Rajapaksa, took charge as the acting President.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:07 am IST

Sri Lankan MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has vowed to form an interim government and call for an election within six months if elected President.

Jul 20, 2022, 9:08 am IST

Jul 20, 2022, 9:13 am IST

'We are watching you': Protesters to Sri Lankan Parliament ahead of presidential election

Jul 20, 2022, 9:41 am IST

Jul 20, 2022, 10:17 am IST

Security tightened outisde Sri Lanka Parliament amid election.

Jul 20, 2022, 10:22 am IST

Voting begins for Sri Lankan Presidential election, reports Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror

Jul 20, 2022, 10:54 am IST

TNA will be voting for Dullas Alahapperuma in the Presidential election, says TNA's Jaffna district's Member of Parliament Sumanthiran.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:12 am IST

General Secretary of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNFP), MP Selvarasa Gajendran has abstained from voting, reports Sri Lanka's NewsWire.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:27 am IST

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe votes in the Presidential Election in Parliament.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:29 am IST

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa casts his ballot.

Jul 20, 2022, 11:59 am IST

The vote counting process commences with the Secretary-General of Parliament checking for valid and invalid votes.

Jul 20, 2022, 12:04 pm IST

The voting for the Presidential election has ended and the counting of votes is on to declare the next President of Sri Lanka.

Jul 20, 2022, 12:14 pm IST

Jul 20, 2022, 12:16 pm IST

Meanwhile, a silent protest is being held outside the Presidential secretariat in Colombo.

Jul 20, 2022, 12:46 pm IST

Ranil Wickremesinghe elected as the new President of Sri Lanka: Reuters

Jul 20, 2022, 1:10 pm IST

The country is in a very difficult situation, we have big challenges ahead, says Sri Lanka's newly appointed President Ranil Wickremesinghe: Reuters

Jul 20, 2022, 1:22 pm IST

Protesters gather outside the Presidential Secretariat after Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as Sri Lanka President.

Sri Lankan Presidential election updates: Anti-govt protesters raise slogans against Wickremesinghe

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