COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s imposing presidential secretariat that was stormed by a sea of protesters in early July, forcing out after that incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa , was almost deserted on Wed (Jul 20) since his replacement has been voted in.
Parliament’s selection of Ranil Wickremesinghe , the six-time prime minister, as Sri Lanka’s next president was obviously a deep disappointment for a lot of protesters at the secretariat and adjoining protest camp in the commercial funds Colombo, which has been the particular epicentre of countrywide demonstrations.
“The reason why people turned out against Gota(baya) was not a personal grudge. It was protesting for values and values he or she held, ” mentioned Buwanaka Perera, a 26-year-old protester.
“We see individuals same values, corruption and oppression within Ranil. ”
A lawyer with a status as a wily political operator and viewed as close to the Rajapaksa family members, Wickremesinghe secured the presidency in the parliamentary vote despite brutal public opposition in order to his candidacy.
Speaking to lawmakers in parliament after their victory, Wickremesinghe urged opposition leaders to operate together with his administration, which faces the task of pulling Sri Lanka away from its worst financial crisis in seven decades.
“Our nation is facing substantial challenges and we have to work on a new technique to fulfil the dreams of the people, ” he said.
On the streets, the mood was sombre. Soon after the election result was announced, a burst of chants broke out against Wickremesinghe. It lasted only a few mins, before the small number of protesters left the steps of the secretariat.
But some promised to keep up their protest against the 73-year-old chief.
“I am not surprised, but nonetheless disappointed at just how corrupt and unjust the system is, ” Kasumi Ranasinghe Arachchige, 26, said.
“We won’t back down, we won’t accept anything less, inch she said. “We will fight for what we should deserve. ”