In a secret parliamentary vote that ran the risk of inciting unrest among a population furious about the South Asian country's economic collapse, Sri Lanka's unpopular prime minister was elected president on Wednesday.
As the nation descended into economic disaster and its 22 million residents were forced to contend with shortages of basic necessities like food, fuel, and medicine, Sri Lankans have taken to the streets for months to demand the resignation of their president and prime minister. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned after they seized the presidential palace and many other government buildings last week.
Many of the demonstrators accuse Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time prime minister, for shielding Rajapaksa and his family's political dynasty, which dominated Sri Lanka for the majority of the past two decades, and consider him as an element of the same problematic rule. Rajapaksa also served as Wickremesinghe's finance minister, and once Rajapaksa left the nation, Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency.
Crowds invaded Wickremesinghe's office and set fire to his home during protests last week.
The decision on Wednesday ensures that Wickremesinghe will serve as president until the end of his term in 2024 and has the authority to name a new prime minister.
"I don't need to tell you the state that our nation is in. After his win was declared, Wickremesinghe, 73, addressed his fellow parliamentarians, saying, "Now that the election is finished, we have to end this conflict.
But it's unclear how that would take place. Rapidly amassing outside the president's mansion were protesters yelling, "Ranil, go home."
A performance artist in the audience named Visaka Jayawware said, "We are really upset, very disappointed with the 225 parliament members who we chose to speak for us, which they have not done." "We'll continue to battle for Sri Lanka's citizens. We must request a general election.
As he noted on Wednesday, Wickremesinghe has spent 45 years of his life serving in Parliament. He has also led negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to develop a bailout plan for the bankrupt nation.
However, since Rajapaksa made him prime minister in May, many voters have developed a negative opinion of him in the hopes that he will bring stability back.
"The conflict won't end until our demands are satisfied. He is not authorized to run the nation, according to human resources expert Nemel Jayaweera. "We shall carry on the fight. We'll resist him.
Nevertheless, Wickremesinghe was easily elected on Wednesday with 134 votes thanks to the majority the ruling party enjoys in Parliament. Dullas Alahapperuma, a populist and former government minister, received 82 votes, while a Marxist contender received just three.
Along with the protests, some of Wickremesinghe's followers also rejoiced over his victory. On Thursday, he will be inaugurated.
In light of the considerable opposition to Wickremesinghe, only a small number of legislators had officially declared their intention to vote for him. However, prior to the vote, Wickremesinghe was anticipated to receive support from a number of Rajapaksa-supporting legislators because of his assurances that demonstrators who set fire to politicians' residences would face harsh punishment.
In his capacity as acting president, Wickremesinghe proclaimed a state of emergency on Monday, giving him broad authority to take actions to maintain public safety and order. In addition to changing or suspending any law, Wickremesinghe has the authority to conduct searches and jail anyone.
The economic situation has gotten worse as a result of Sri Lanka's political unrest. However, Wickremesinghe stated on Monday that discussions for assistance from other nations had advanced and that negotiations with the IMF were close to being concluded. Additionally, he claimed that the administration has taken action to address gasoline and cooking gas shortages.
IMF officials have not responded to Wickremesinghe's assessment of the bailout negotiations.
In his weekly addresses to Parliament as prime minister, Wickremesinghe warned that the crisis's resolution would be challenging and promised to restructure a government that increasingly concentrated authority under the presidency.
The election was a formal, solemn event that was broadcast on national television. The parliamentarians banged their tables in favor of their own candidates as the results were revealed.
In Sri Lanka, the population typically elects the president. Only if the position of president becomes vacant before a term's official end does duty go to Parliament.
In Sri Lanka, such has only happened once before, when former Prime Minister Dingiri Banda Wijetunga was elected by Parliament without opposition in 1993 following the assassination of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, the father of the current opposition leader.
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