Global Desk: Ranil Wickremesinghe has been elected as the new acting president of the financially torn Sri Lanka.
Wickremesinghe was elected by its members of parliament on Wednesday after the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the county following the robust anti-government protests and occupation of his official residence.
According to reports, Ranil Wickremesinghe defeated his rival Dullas Alahapperuma from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party with 134 to 82 votes. He reportedly also received support from the ruling party led by the Rajapaksas on the occasion.
As the new acting president his main task would be to restore social-economic peace and stability in the island nation which is facing its worst economic mayhem since its independence in late 40s.
He is likely serve as the leader of the nation attest until 2024.
However, whether he would be accepted by the general public who have been incessantly protesting on the streets is unclear. In fact, there had been demands of his resignation when he served as the Prime Minister. Likewise, there are also reports of public gathering in the parts of Colombo with slogans like “Ranil Go Home”.
Earlier, he was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka after Mahindra Rajapaksa resigned for the post following the anti-government protests across the country.
Will his ascension to presidency help Sri Lanka return back on track is something to look for now.
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