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Ranil Wickremesinghe elected new president of Sri Lanka

Appointment could lead to further demonstrations as protest movement says leader is too close to politicians blamed for country's economic crisis

The National

July 20, 2022

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Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected Sri Lanka’s new head of state by MPs on Wednesday, replacing ousted leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Mr Wickremesinghe, 73, beat Dullas Alahapperuma, a candidate who had the support of a faction within the ruling party, and left-leaning lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake from the opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party.

The new president secured 134 of the votes cast in the 225-seat Sri Lanka Parliament.

Mr Wickremesinghe described the victory as an honour and a privilege when he addressed Parliament.

"Our divisions are now over," Mr Wickremesinghe said, inviting Mr Alahapperuma "to join me and work together to bring the country out of the crisis we are facing".

Security personnel stand guard after a raid on an anti-government protest camp in Colombo early on Friday, amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis. Reuters
Security personnel stand guard after a raid on an anti-government protest camp in Colombo early on Friday, amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis. Reuters
Anti-government protesters speak with members of Sri Lankan security forces. AFP
Anti-government protesters speak with members of Sri Lankan security forces. AFP
A policeman walks past slogans against the newly elected Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe in Colombo. AFP
A policeman walks past slogans against the newly elected Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe in Colombo. AFP
Ranil Wickremesinghe is sworn in as the new president of Sri Lanka by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. Reuters
Ranil Wickremesinghe is sworn in as the new president of Sri Lanka by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. Reuters
Mr Wickremesinghe, centre, arrives at his swearing-in ceremony in Colombo. EPA
Mr Wickremesinghe, centre, arrives at his swearing-in ceremony in Colombo. EPA
Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves a Buddhist temple in Colombo after he was named as Sri Lanka's eighth executive president. Reuters
Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves a Buddhist temple in Colombo after he was named as Sri Lanka's eighth executive president. Reuters
Sri Lankans protest after Mr Wickremesinghe defeated Dullas Alahapperuma, a member of the breakaway faction of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party, by 134 votes to 82 in a parliamentary vote to pick the next president. Getty
Sri Lankans protest after Mr Wickremesinghe defeated Dullas Alahapperuma, a member of the breakaway faction of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party, by 134 votes to 82 in a parliamentary vote to pick the next president. Getty
Dinesh Gunawardena, centre, leader of the House of Parliament, arrives at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. Getty
Dinesh Gunawardena, centre, leader of the House of Parliament, arrives at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. Getty
Soldiers stand guard at the Presidential Secretariat after Mr Wickremesinghe was announced as Sri Lanka's new president. Getty
Soldiers stand guard at the Presidential Secretariat after Mr Wickremesinghe was announced as Sri Lanka's new president. Getty
Protesters watch a live broadcast of the parliamentary vote to pick Sri Lanka's new president. EPA
Protesters watch a live broadcast of the parliamentary vote to pick Sri Lanka's new president. EPA
A screen grab of Mr Wickremesinghe, bottom left, during the vote count announcement in Sri Lanka's Parliament. AFP
A screen grab of Mr Wickremesinghe, bottom left, during the vote count announcement in Sri Lanka's Parliament. AFP
Mr Alahapperuma, bottom right, during the parliamentary vote in Colombo. AFP
Mr Alahapperuma, bottom right, during the parliamentary vote in Colombo. AFP
A supporter celebrates in Colombo after Mr Wickremesinghe was elected as president. Reuters
A supporter celebrates in Colombo after Mr Wickremesinghe was elected as president. Reuters
Mr Wickremesinghe's supporters celebrate in the capital after his election as Sri Lankan president. Getty
Mr Wickremesinghe's supporters celebrate in the capital after his election as Sri Lankan president. Getty
Sri Lankans protest after the announcement of Mr Wickremesinghe as president. Getty
Sri Lankans protest after the announcement of Mr Wickremesinghe as president. Getty
Demonstrators watch a public screen as voting begins in Sri Lanka's Parliament. Reuters
Demonstrators watch a public screen as voting begins in Sri Lanka's Parliament. Reuters
Protesters in Colombo demand Mr Wickremesinghe's resignation as prime minister and acting president before the parliamentary vote. AP
Protesters in Colombo demand Mr Wickremesinghe's resignation as prime minister and acting president before the parliamentary vote. AP
Demonstrators carry an effigy of Mr Wickremesinghe. AFP
Demonstrators carry an effigy of Mr Wickremesinghe. AFP
Demonstrators take part in a procession against Mr Wickremesinghe. AFP
Demonstrators take part in a procession against Mr Wickremesinghe. AFP
Demonstrators shout slogans. AFP
Demonstrators shout slogans. AFP
Sri Lankan demonstrators take part in a celebration in Colombo to mark the 100th day of protests. AFP
Sri Lankan demonstrators take part in a celebration in Colombo to mark the 100th day of protests. AFP
After months of street protests, Sri Lanka’s parliament will elect a new president to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday. AFP
After months of street protests, Sri Lanka’s parliament will elect a new president to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday. AFP
The country faces its worst economic crisis in decades due to the lack of foreign reserves, resulting in severe shortages of food, fuel, medicines and imported goods. Getty
The country faces its worst economic crisis in decades due to the lack of foreign reserves, resulting in severe shortages of food, fuel, medicines and imported goods. Getty
Soldiers lower the national flag at Galle Face Green in Colombo. Getty
Soldiers lower the national flag at Galle Face Green in Colombo. Getty
A demonstrator writes a slogan against acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe. AFP
A demonstrator writes a slogan against acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe. AFP
Mr Wickremesinghe is a top contender in the race to succeed Mr Rajapaksa. AFP
Mr Wickremesinghe is a top contender in the race to succeed Mr Rajapaksa. AFP
People light candles in the capital in memory of protesters killed or wounded since the demonstrations began. EPA
People light candles in the capital in memory of protesters killed or wounded since the demonstrations began. EPA
Police officers stand guard outside Parliament in Colombo. Reuters
Police officers stand guard outside Parliament in Colombo. Reuters
The vandalised office of the Sri Lankan president inside his official residence in the capital. Getty
The vandalised office of the Sri Lankan president inside his official residence in the capital. Getty
Police officials gather evidence at the president’s official residence after it was overrun by anti-government protesters on July 9. AFP
Police officials gather evidence at the president’s official residence after it was overrun by anti-government protesters on July 9. AFP
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, right, is sworn in as acting president by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in Colombo. EPA
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, right, is sworn in as acting president by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in Colombo. EPA
Parliamentary Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena addresses the media in Colombo. AFP
Parliamentary Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena addresses the media in Colombo. AFP
People dance in Colombo as they celebrate the resignation of Mr Rajapaksa amid the country’s economic crisis. Reuters
People dance in Colombo as they celebrate the resignation of Mr Rajapaksa amid the country’s economic crisis. Reuters
Demonstrators cheer after hearing news that Mr Rajapaksa had emailed his letter of resignation after fleeing months of anti-government protests. Bloomberg
Demonstrators cheer after hearing news that Mr Rajapaksa had emailed his letter of resignation after fleeing months of anti-government protests. Bloomberg
Members of the media wait outside the VIP complex of Changi International Airport in Singapore for the arrival of Mr Rajapaksa, his wife and two bodyguards. Sri Lanka's president left the Maldives on July 14 aboard a Saudia Airlines plane bound for Singapore. AFP
Members of the media wait outside the VIP complex of Changi International Airport in Singapore for the arrival of Mr Rajapaksa, his wife and two bodyguards. Sri Lanka's president left the Maldives on July 14 aboard a Saudia Airlines plane bound for Singapore. AFP
A Saudia Airlines plane believed to be carrying Mr Rajapaksa arrives on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore. EPA
A Saudia Airlines plane believed to be carrying Mr Rajapaksa arrives on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore. EPA
Police officers walk outside Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office, a day after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the building, when he was named acting president. AFP
Police officers walk outside Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office, a day after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the building, when he was named acting president. AFP
A Saudia airline Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Singapore and carrying Sri Lanka's fleeing president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his wife and bodyguards prepares to take off at the Velana International airport, in the Maldives. AFP
A Saudia airline Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Singapore and carrying Sri Lanka's fleeing president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his wife and bodyguards prepares to take off at the Velana International airport, in the Maldives. AFP
Sri Lankan soldiers stand guard near the parliament building in Colombo, a day after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the prime minister's office. AFP
Sri Lankan soldiers stand guard near the parliament building in Colombo, a day after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the prime minister's office. AFP
A soldier walks past a demonstrator sitting in a meeting room, at the prime minister's offices. AFP
A soldier walks past a demonstrator sitting in a meeting room, at the prime minister's offices. AFP
Soldiers patrol the buildings of the prime minister's office. AFP
Soldiers patrol the buildings of the prime minister's office. AFP
Troops make their way to an anti-government protest at the prime minister's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Bloomberg
Troops make their way to an anti-government protest at the prime minister's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Bloomberg
Demonstrators takes pictures inside the complex housing the Sri Lankan prime minister's offices. AFP
Demonstrators takes pictures inside the complex housing the Sri Lankan prime minister's offices. AFP
An injured protester lies in an ambulance after clashes with police near parliament in Colombo. AP
An injured protester lies in an ambulance after clashes with police near parliament in Colombo. AP
People wait to enter the presidential palace in Colombo, Sri Lanka. AP
People wait to enter the presidential palace in Colombo, Sri Lanka. AP
Protesters in Colombo hold Sri Lankan flags as they stand on top of the office of acting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, amid the country's economic crisis. Reuters
Protesters in Colombo hold Sri Lankan flags as they stand on top of the office of acting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, amid the country's economic crisis. Reuters
Protesters demand the resignation of Mr Wickremasinghe. Bloomberg
Protesters demand the resignation of Mr Wickremasinghe. Bloomberg
Police officers stand guard in Colombo. Reuters
Police officers stand guard in Colombo. Reuters
Police fire tear gas to control the crowds. Reuters
Police fire tear gas to control the crowds. Reuters
A protester pours water on a man as tensions soar. Reuters
A protester pours water on a man as tensions soar. Reuters
Protesters throw teargas shells. AP Photo
Protesters throw teargas shells. AP Photo
Protesters storm Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka and demand his resignation, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the economic and political crisis for the Maldives. AP
Protesters storm Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka and demand his resignation, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the economic and political crisis for the Maldives. AP
Police use tear gas to disperse Sri Lankan protesters outside the prime minister's office. AP
Police use tear gas to disperse Sri Lankan protesters outside the prime minister's office. AP
A protester sleeps on vandalised furniture inside the presidential palace in Colombo, which has been occupied by demonstrators for days. Getty Images
A protester sleeps on vandalised furniture inside the presidential palace in Colombo, which has been occupied by demonstrators for days. Getty Images
A satellite image shows people gathered outside Sri Lanka's Parliament building in Colombo amid the country's economic and political crisis. AFP
A satellite image shows people gathered outside Sri Lanka's Parliament building in Colombo amid the country's economic and political crisis. AFP
Youths play carrom inside the Sri Lankan prime minister's official residence, which was stormed by protesters at the weekend. Reuters
Youths play carrom inside the Sri Lankan prime minister's official residence, which was stormed by protesters at the weekend. Reuters
People sit on a couch inside the prime minister's official residence. The protests against the government have simmered since May, but erupted again last Saturday. Reuters
People sit on a couch inside the prime minister's official residence. The protests against the government have simmered since May, but erupted again last Saturday. Reuters
Army cadets march past people queuing to get inside Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo. AFP
Army cadets march past people queuing to get inside Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo. AFP
People visit Mr Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo. It was reported on Wednesday that he had fled the country for the Maldives. AFP
People visit Mr Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo. It was reported on Wednesday that he had fled the country for the Maldives. AFP
A man takes a selfie at the presidential palace. AP
A man takes a selfie at the presidential palace. AP
Sri Lankans line up to take a look inside the presidential palace in Colombo. EPA
Sri Lankans line up to take a look inside the presidential palace in Colombo. EPA
Crowds flock to take in the presidential palace. EPA
Crowds flock to take in the presidential palace. EPA
A man takes a rest inside the prime minister's official residence in Colombo. EPA
A man takes a rest inside the prime minister's official residence in Colombo. EPA
People sing songs inside the prime minister's official residence. EPA
People sing songs inside the prime minister's official residence. EPA
Protesters erect a banner on the presidential palace three days after it was stormed by anti-government demonstrators in Colombo. AP
Protesters erect a banner on the presidential palace three days after it was stormed by anti-government demonstrators in Colombo. AP
People wait in a queue to collect gas at a distribution point in Colombo. AFP
People wait in a queue to collect gas at a distribution point in Colombo. AFP
Sri Lankans quarrel as they wait for gas at a distribution point. AFP
Sri Lankans quarrel as they wait for gas at a distribution point. AFP
A driver of an autorickshaw sleeps inside his vehicle while waiting in a queue to buy petrol at a fuel station in Colombo. AP
A driver of an autorickshaw sleeps inside his vehicle while waiting in a queue to buy petrol at a fuel station in Colombo. AP

Sri Lankan authorities ringed the Parliament building with heavy security as MPs prepared to choose from the three candidates, hoping the new leader can pull the island out of an economic and political crisis.

The response of protesters was broadly muted, with just about 100 people gathered on the steps of the presidential secretariat, but some vowed to turn their focus to dislodging Wickremesinghe.

"We're shocked. He's a person handling things in a very cunning way," protester Damitha Abeyrathne said of the leader. "He will start controlling us in a different way. As protesters, we will start our struggle again."

“If Ranil comes [into power], we cannot have stability,” Duminda Nagamuwa, who organised protests in Colombo after the nominations were finalised, said before the vote.

Other protesters have said he is an ally of the powerful Rajapaksa family, who they blame for the economic crisis. The Rajapaksas' Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, the largest in parliament, backed Wickremesinghe for the presidency.

Mr Wickremesinghe, a six-time prime minister, became acting president last week, after Mr Rajapaksa fled to Singapore.

Hundreds of thousands of people had come out on to the streets to protest against his administration and occupied his official residence and office in Colombo.

Protesters also burnt down Mr Wickremesinghe's home and stormed his office.

Mr Wickremesinghe has pledged to crack down hard if protesters take to the streets and hundreds of heavily armed troops and police stood guard outside the parliament, but there were no signs of demonstrators.

As acting president, Mr Wickremesinghe extended a state of emergency that gives police and security forces sweeping powers, and last week ordered troops to evict protesters from state buildings they had occupied.

On Wednesday he vowed to take tough action against anyone resorting to what he called the undemocratic means that led to his predecessor's ouster.

"If you try to topple the government, occupy the president's office and the prime minister's office, that is not democracy and we will deal with them firmly," Mr Wickremesinghe said hours after he was elected.

Opposition MP Dharmalingam Sithadthan said ahead of the vote that Mr Wickremesinghe's hardline stance against demonstrators had gone down well with MPs who had been at the receiving end of mob violence, describing him as the "law-and-order candidate".

Political analyst Kusal Perera said he had "regained the acceptance of the urban middle classes by restoring some of the supplies like gas and he has already cleared government buildings showing his firmness".

Outside the presidential secretariat, where protesters camped for months to demand Rajapaksa step down, civil enginer Nuzly Hameem said he was "disappointed" by the result.

"We expected more from our parliamentarians," he told AFP.

The protests would "obviously" continue, he said, but added "We are burnt out. It's been four months."

Born into a wealthy, politically active family whose fortune was made in timber and the media, Mr Wickremesinghe has served as a lawmaker for 45 years. His reputation suffered during a previous stint as prime minister in a difficult power-sharing arrangement with then-President Maithripala Sirisena. A communication breakdown between them was blamed for intelligence lapses that led to a terror attack in 2019 that devastated tourism even before the catastrophic blow from the pandemic.

He earned a law degree from the University of Colombo and practiced as a lawyer before entering politics in 1977, becoming the youngest lawmaker at the time. He was first appointed prime minister in 1993 and also was an opposition leader for more than a decade.

Wickremesinghe has generally kept details of his private life under wraps. He is married to Maitree Wickremesinghe, a professor and expert on gender and women’s studies.

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5. Zakat 

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War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

While you're here
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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Updated: July 21, 2022, 3:46 AM`
AsiaSri Lanka