July 13, 2022
1 min read

Three-pronged battle for next Lanka President

The candidates who get more than 50 per cent of valid votes will become the President. Unless any of the contestants cross the 50 per cent mark, the preferential votes marked by the MPs will be counted….reports Asian Lite News

A three-pronged battle is set to take place for the selection of the next Sri Lankan President by approval of Parliament on July 20, state media reported.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Dalles Alahapperuma and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa mull the submission of nomination papers to run for presidency in the secret ballot.

The Presidential post fell vacant prematurely in Sri Lankan history on one occasion — the assassination of President R. Premadasa on May 1, 1993. It is now slated to be vacant after the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as already announced by him, the Daily Mirror reported.

Parliament will take a secret ballot on July 20 to elect the new President. According to Daily Mirror sources, Wickremesinghe will contest for the post to serve the rest of the current presidential term. A section of the SLPP is planning to back him while another faction of the SLPP, including the 10-party alliance supports Alahapperuma.

Earlier, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya announced that Sajith Premadasa will be its presidential candidate, the Daily Mirror reported.

The candidates who get more than 50 per cent of valid votes will become the President. Unless any of the contestants cross the 50 per cent mark, the preferential votes marked by the MPs will be counted.

According to informed sources, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramun (JVP) has taken up the position that a neutral MP with no future electoral ambitions should be appointed the next President, the Daily Mirror reported.

The party says Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane should be appointed. The JVP believes the appointment of a political leader with future presidential ambitions will work for the interests of his party with the next election in mind.

ALSO READ: Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees country

Previous Story

Tunisia sees rebound in Covid-19 infections

Next Story

Row over national emblem intensifies

Latest from -Top News

BRICS must break the digital chains

BRICS nations need to build consensus, balance innovation and social justice by reinforcing the digital sovereignty of Global South, including evenly distribution of benefits through AI, writes Baidya Bikash Basu BRICS, the

Modi begins landmark Argentina visit

First Indian PM to visit in 57 years; economic ties, lithium and trade top agenda Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a historic visit to Argentina on Saturday by paying homage to

Texas flash floods kill at least 24; Trump vows help

President calls tragedy ‘shocking’ as search for missing continues overnight At least 24 people have died in Kerr County, Texas, after catastrophic flooding swept through the region, prompting a large-scale rescue and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Chennai-Jaffna flights resume nearly after 3 years

According to officials, four flights are to be operated every

Oppn seeks solutions from Wickremesinghe

Premadasa said that among the various demands, people in the