Parliament elects Ranil Wickremesinghe as Succeeding President of Sri Lanka
Parliament on Wednesday elected Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Succeeding President by the votes of the Members of Parliament.
Accordingly, Ranil Wickremesinghe received 134 votes, Dullas Alahapperuma received 82 votes and Anura Kumara Dissanayake received 3 votes.
The names of three Members of Parliament were proposed and seconded in the Parliament yesterday (19) for the vacancy of the Presidency, with the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Accordingly, the names of Acting President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Member of Parliament Dullas Alahapperuma and Member of Parliament Anura Kumara Dissanayake were proposed.
Last week (14) the former President had sent his resignation letter to the Speaker. Accordingly, the Parliament was summoned on 16th and the Secretary General of the Parliament announced to the House that the office of the President has become vacant.
Sri Lanka’s parliament in 1993 unanimously chose DB Wijetunga to finish the tenure of assassinated president Ranasinghe Premadasa. This time three candidates are in the fray to complete Rajapaksa’s term, scheduled to end in 2024. (LBO)
Statement by the Parliament elect Ranil Wickremesinghe as the 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka – Posted by PRMinds Admin
The new president recalled that 31 years ago or in 1993, the Parliament undertook a similar exercise after President Premadasa was assassinated to elect a new President. D.B. Wijetunga won uncontested. “15 of those including me who participated in the vote still serve Parliament as of today,” Wickremesinghe said.
It was pointed out in the second occasion yesterday, it was proved that the Parliament can elect a President via a vote. Therefore, Wickremesinghe said he has a responsibility to thank all those who ensured his victory.
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Focusing on grimmer issues, he also said: “We all know we are in a serious economic crisis at present with youth demanding change. People are not asking for old politics but want all parties to get together and initiate a new program to move forward.”
“I request Dullas Alahapperuma and Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to work together for a new arrangement. I also request the Opposition leader and my friend Sajith Premadasa to join in,” Wickremesinghe said and also extended an invitation to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena and supportive Tamil MPs to come together with the Government.
“We were divided for 48 hours and after today we must get together. I am prepared to discuss from tomorrow with all parties,” Wickremesinghe emphasised.
Response by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva – Posted by PRMinds Admin
The Aragalaya (the protests) wants to abolish the executive Presidency but that can be done if ever the Parliament produces a two-thirds majority for it, and the parties supporting it can try their luck at a parliamentary election.
Dayan Jayatilleka
Now is not the time to divert the nation’s attention.
Anyway, this is certainly not the time to abolish the executive Presidency –not with a deep economic crisis to climb out of. Learn from the situation in the British parliament. Any such political volatility here would sink this economy right into the sea-bed. Learn also the contrasting situation of France: be it the ‘yellow vests’ protests of a few years ago or the loss of a governmental majority in the National Assembly, there is the stability of the State, thanks to the nationally and directly elected French presidential system.
If a referendum is held within a year on a new Constitution which abolishes the executive presidential system, you would both be walking into a deadly trap.
Response by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce – Posted by PRMinds Admin
Ceylon Chamber Congratulates New President & Highlights Key Priorities
The Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, congratulating the new President of Sri Lanka through a letter, has highlighted key areas that require priority attention.
Key priorities:
- Resuming discussions with the IMF urgently to reach a staff-level agreement soon.
- Expediting the negotiations with creditors to successfully conclude the debt restructuring process
- Taking immediate steps to secure adequate fuel supplies and other essential items while streamlining their distribution
- Accessing adequate bridging finance to manage immediate cash-flow needs
- Designing a well-targeted safety net to take care of vulnerable sections of the society while addressing concerns relating to food security
- Embarking on the necessary economic reforms that will provide comfort and assurance to donors and creditors that the country will be steered towards a position of strength and stability
Other areas of focus that must be addressed ideally through a 100-day plan would be reviving tourism, promoting foreign direct investment and attracting more remittances through official banking channels, the letter further stressed.
Queen Elizabeth II has congratulated new President Ranil Wickremesinghe
Queen Elizabeth II has congratulated new President Ranil Wickremesinghe and said she looks forward to stronger Sri Lanka-UK bilateral ties.
Elizabeth II is Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other commonwealth realms.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to you on becoming President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. I look forward to continuing the warm friendship between our two countries during your Presidency. I send my good wishes for your role and the success of your country and people,” the Queen said in her congratulatory message released by the British High Commission.
The High Commission also presented its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the assurance of its highest consideration.
Chinese President Xi first global leader to congratulate President Ranil
- Expresses belief under Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka will be able to overcome temporary difficulties, advance economic and social recovery
- Stresses the importance of Sino-Lanka ties and says willing to extend further support and assistance to SL
- Hopes two countries can push forward strategic cooperative partnerships
Chinese President Xi Jinping
People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping became the first global leader to congratulate new President Ranil Wickremesinghe and offer support to overcome the on-going economic and social crisis.
In his congratulatory letter dated 22 July, Xi also expressed the belief that under Wickremesinghe’s leadership, Sri Lanka will be able to overcome temporary difficulties and advance the process of economic and social recovery.
“I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and am willing to provide support and assistance to the best of my ability for you and the Sri Lankan people in your efforts,” President Xi said in his letter to Wickremesinghe channelled through the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Colombo.
Sri Lanka committed to One-China policy, UN Charter – President
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenghong
President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he met Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenghong & reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to the one-China policy, as well as to the UN Charter principles of sovereignty & territorial integrity of nations. Countries must refrain from provocations which escalate current global tensions. Mutual respect & non-interference in the internal affairs of countries are important foundations for peaceful cooperation & non-confrontation
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
“Sri Lanka is in a moment of challenge and crisis but has an opportunity to create a more democratic and inclusive government”, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry in Cambodia.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres congratulates new President Ranil Wickremesinghe
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
In a congratulatory message UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership is decisive in resolving the current economic crisis Sri Lanka is faced with.
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida congratulates new President Ranil Wickremesinghe
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida
Congratulating President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida says he expects political stability in SL & hopes IMF negotiations will make quick progress for development & also expects cooperation for a ‘Free & Open Indo-Pacific’ policy
