Sri Lanka S Political Crisis Continues As Ranil Wickremesinghe Bids To Become President Sri Lanka

Following the dramatic ouster of Sri Lanka’s strongman president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the campaign to take over executive power has begun at a time when the country is facing some of its worst economic and political turmoil since independence. Rajapaksa’s fall, which followed months of sustained protests and historic scenes in which mobs occupied the presidential palace and his offices, was greeted with jubilation by many in Sri Lanka. However, for many in the protest movement that has emerged, Rajapaksa’s removal from power was only the first step in revolutionizing Sri Lankan politics. And, after the resignation was announced, another obstacle to enacting change seemed to emerge immediately. On Friday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was named interim president until parliament meets next week to vote on who will officially assume the role. It was a role he had assumed since Wednesday when, before fleeing to the Maldives overnight, Rajapaksa had appointed Wickremesinghe “caretaker president”. The announcement was met with anger and frustration on the streets of Colombo. Wickremesinghe, who has already served as prime minister five times, is accused of protecting and supporting the Rajapaksa family dynasty for years, shielding them from corruption charges and allowing them to return to power. His decision to agree to become caretaker prime minister two months ago was seen by many as the reason Rajapaksa stayed in power for weeks longer than he otherwise would have. Public frustration with Wickremesinghe has played out many times, from the fire at his private residence to the storming of his offices by protesters on Wednesday. But despite a clear message from protesters that he is not the leader they have been asking for, on Friday Wickremesinghe announced he would be among those putting his name forward as a presidential candidate. Sri Lankan protesters outside the Indian High Commission are demanding the immediate release of Indians who had staged demonstrations to show solidarity with them. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images He will be the candidate for Rajapaksa’s ruling party, the Sri Lanka Podujyana Peramuna (SLPP), which still holds the largest number of seats in parliament. He has a strong chance of being elected after MPs vote in parliament next Tuesday or Wednesday. There was a mood of frustration among those who had worked for months to topple the Rajapaksa presidency. “Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down because he has defended this corrupt system and has failed five times before as prime minister,” said Catholic priest Jeevantha Peiris, who has been a leader of the protests. “As citizens, we don’t accept him, we don’t need another corrupt leader. We want to change the whole system.” Many living in the anti-government protest camp in the central Colombo area of ​​Galle Face expressed concern and by Friday it had been renamed from Gota Go Gama (Gota go Gama) to Ranil Go Gama (Ranil Go Home). There was particular concern over the language Wickremesinghe used to describe the protesters in recent days, describing them as infiltration by “fascists” and “extremists”. “The idea of ​​Ranil being Gota’s replacement, with all the power he has, is not the change we were asking for and it’s a very scary idea for the future,” said Mithsandi Seveviratne, 21. “We’re worried about how this is ruining the movement may even be much worse than what Gota has done.’ Many pointed out that Wickremesinghe had only entered parliament through a single-seat party list system and accused him of having no political legitimacy and of ignoring the demands of the people’s movement, known as Aragalya, which Wickremesinghe claimed that it supports. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST. “Young people came forward to oust Gota, which everyone thought was impossible, but we didn’t, we fought all these months, so it could be Ranil for president,” said Maneth, 25. “It’s not change: since we were kids he was either prime minister or leader of the opposition, so we don’t trust Ranil.” Wickremesinghe’s candidacy even appeared to cause divisions with the SLPP. Party president GL Peiris wrote to the party’s general secretary expressing “surprise and total disbelief” at the announcement that it would support Wickremesinghe as its presidential candidate. However, Wickremesinghe will face several candidates in the presidential secret ballot next week, including opposition leader Sajith Premadasa – who has vowed to ensure “an electoral dictatorship never, ever happens” and to go after leaders who ” they looted the country” – and another SLPP politician, Dullas Alahapperuma, who could split the ruling party’s vote. Former army chief Sarath Fonseka has also signaled his intention to contest. As parliament briefly met on Saturday, a note was read from Rajapaksa – the first words heard publicly from him since he fled to the Maldives and Singapore, where he remains. “I have contributed the utmost for the country,” Rajapaksa’s letter read. “And in the future I will contribute for the country.”

title: “Sri Lanka S Political Crisis Continues As Ranil Wickremesinghe Bids To Become President Sri Lanka " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-15” author: “Matthew Bilski”

Following the dramatic ouster of Sri Lanka’s strongman president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the campaign to take over executive power has begun at a time when the country is facing some of its worst economic and political turmoil since independence. Rajapaksa’s fall, which followed months of sustained protests and historic scenes in which mobs occupied the presidential palace and his offices, was greeted with jubilation by many in Sri Lanka. However, for many in the protest movement that has emerged, Rajapaksa’s removal from power was only the first step in revolutionizing Sri Lankan politics. And, after the resignation was announced, another obstacle to enacting change seemed to emerge immediately. On Friday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was named interim president until parliament meets next week to vote on who will officially assume the role. It was a role he had assumed since Wednesday when, before fleeing to the Maldives overnight, Rajapaksa had appointed Wickremesinghe “caretaker president”. The announcement was met with anger and frustration on the streets of Colombo. Wickremesinghe, who has already served as prime minister five times, is accused of protecting and supporting the Rajapaksa family dynasty for years, shielding them from corruption charges and allowing them to return to power. His decision to agree to become caretaker prime minister two months ago was seen by many as the reason Rajapaksa stayed in power for weeks longer than he otherwise would have. Public frustration with Wickremesinghe has played out many times, from the fire at his private residence to the storming of his offices by protesters on Wednesday. But despite a clear message from protesters that he is not the leader they have been asking for, on Friday Wickremesinghe announced he would be among those putting his name forward as a presidential candidate. Sri Lankan protesters outside the Indian High Commission are demanding the immediate release of Indians who had staged demonstrations to show solidarity with them. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images He will be the candidate for Rajapaksa’s ruling party, the Sri Lanka Podujyana Peramuna (SLPP), which still holds the largest number of seats in parliament. He has a strong chance of being elected after MPs vote in parliament next Tuesday or Wednesday. There was a mood of frustration among those who had worked for months to topple the Rajapaksa presidency. “Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down because he has defended this corrupt system and has failed five times before as prime minister,” said Catholic priest Jeevantha Peiris, who has been a leader of the protests. “As citizens, we don’t accept him, we don’t need another corrupt leader. We want to change the whole system.” Many living in the anti-government protest camp in the central Colombo area of ​​Galle Face expressed concern and by Friday it had been renamed from Gota Go Gama (Gota go Gama) to Ranil Go Gama (Ranil Go Home). There was particular concern over the language Wickremesinghe used to describe the protesters in recent days, describing them as infiltration by “fascists” and “extremists”. “The idea of ​​Ranil being Gota’s replacement, with all the power he has, is not the change we were asking for and it’s a very scary idea for the future,” said Mithsandi Seveviratne, 21. “We’re worried about how this is ruining the movement may even be much worse than what Gota has done.’ Many pointed out that Wickremesinghe had only entered parliament through a single-seat party list system and accused him of having no political legitimacy and of ignoring the demands of the people’s movement, known as Aragalya, which Wickremesinghe claimed that it supports. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST. “Young people came forward to oust Gota, which everyone thought was impossible, but we didn’t, we fought all these months, so it could be Ranil for president,” said Maneth, 25. “It’s not change: since we were kids he was either prime minister or leader of the opposition, so we don’t trust Ranil.” Wickremesinghe’s candidacy even appeared to cause divisions with the SLPP. Party president GL Peiris wrote to the party’s general secretary expressing “surprise and total disbelief” at the announcement that it would support Wickremesinghe as its presidential candidate. However, Wickremesinghe will face several candidates in the presidential secret ballot next week, including opposition leader Sajith Premadasa – who has vowed to ensure “an electoral dictatorship never, ever happens” and to go after leaders who ” they looted the country” – and another SLPP politician, Dullas Alahapperuma, who could split the ruling party’s vote. Former army chief Sarath Fonseka has also signaled his intention to contest. As parliament briefly met on Saturday, a note was read from Rajapaksa – the first words heard publicly from him since he fled to the Maldives and Singapore, where he remains. “I have contributed the utmost for the country,” Rajapaksa’s letter read. “And in the future I will contribute for the country.”