Three contenders file presidential bids as Sri Lanka moves toward a secret ballot
Three politicians, among them the current interim president and former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, submitted their presidential candidacies on a Tuesday. The step comes as the nation prepares for a decisive secret ballot in the Parliament, scheduled to be held the following day. In the wake of Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepping down and leaving the country, Parliament confirmed that Wickremesinghe would be contending alongside MP Dullas Alahapperuma of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the former governing party, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a representative of the left leaning National People’s Power coalition.
The 225-member Sri Lankan Parliament will conduct the secret vote at 10:00 local time, which is 4:00 in Greenwich Mean Time. The process unfolds as Sri Lanka faces a political moment marked by rapid developments and intense public interest in the country’s leadership trajectory.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, long counted among the election front runners, surprised observers by announcing that he would not submit a candidacy after all. He signaled his support for Alahapperuma, a move that reflects the tug of war within the ruling bloc, where another faction of the SLPP supports Wickremesinghe. Premadasa explained on social media that for the sake of the country and the people he loves, he was withdrawing from the race. He also noted that his political faction, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, along with the opposition alliance and colleagues, would work toward securing Alahapperuma’s victory.
The parliamentary race for the presidency comes amid a volatile moment following the resignation and departure of Rajapaksa amid large protests. Wickremesinghe, who had been Rajapaksa’s prime minister and then took on the role of interim president after the leader’s exit, declared a state of emergency the day before the secret ballot, a move that has drawn criticism from various quarters.
For months, Sri Lanka has grappled with shortages of medicine, food, and fuel. Analysts point to a combination of heavy borrowing, policy missteps, and the enduring impact of the Easter attacks and the pandemic on tourism as key factors. Street demonstrations have surged since late March, with thousands demanding Rajapaksa’s resignation as the economic crisis deepened. On a notable day in July, hundreds of protesters entered the official residences of both Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe, pressuring leaders to step aside. Rajapaksa later resigned from the presidency, with his departure from the country confirmed after his flight from the island. Observers note that the resignation is part of a broader reconfiguring of Sri Lanka’s political landscape as the country seeks stability and relief for its people.
As the nation looks toward the secret voting process, political analysts emphasize how the outcome could shape policy direction and the parliamentary balance in the months ahead. The evolving situation reflects a broader pattern in which leadership transitions are intertwined with economic reform efforts and public expectations for governance and accountability. The coming days are expected to bring further statements from party leaders, more clarity on coalition dynamics, and continued scrutiny of how the government will address urgent shortages and the broader economic relief efforts needed by the public.