Colombo: Presidential elections will be held in Sri Lanka between 17 September and 16 October this year. The country’s top electoral body has announced this on Thursday. According to local media reports, a communication signed by the Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, R M A L Ratnayake, stated that the commission will seek nominations to conduct the presidential election within the time frame specified in terms of the provisions of the Constitution. It said that the presidential election would be held sometime between September 17 and October 16.
Ranil Wickramasinghe can enter the field
President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s top aide said last month that he may contest the presidential election. Wickremesinghe took over as Prime Minister in May 2022, replacing Mahinda Rajapaksa, following anti-government protests over the unprecedented economic crisis in the country. Two months later, he replaced Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President for the remainder of his term until the end of 2024.
Wickramasinghe is experienced
Senior presidential adviser and senior United National Party (UNP) leader Ashu Marasinghe said last month that Wickremesinghe, 75, would represent multiple parties as the national candidate. The veteran politician has led the United National Party (UNP) since 1994. He has held the post of Prime Minister five times and has led six governments.
There may be competition with Vijayadas Rajapaksa
Wickremesinghe may face current Justice Minister K Vijayadas Rajapaksa in the presidential election. Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairman and former President Maithripala Sirisena had recently said that 65-year-old Rajapaksa would be his party’s candidate in the presidential election. (Language)
Also read:
Britain alerted by anti-Israel protests in America, PM Rishi Sunak gave a clear message
Russia gave a big statement in favor of India, flouting American policies
Latest World News