Ranil Officially Declares Candidacy For Upcoming Elections
Date
7/28/2024 9:59:21 AM
(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette) President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday officially announced that he would run for the presidential elections on September 21.
The Sri Lankan Election Commission on Friday announced that the presidential elections in the island nation will be held in September, the first time since the country witnessed a major economic crisis in 2022.
Addressing a rally in the southern town of Galle the 75-year-old leader said:“My coming today to this town is significant, I declare that I will contest the presidential election having already paid my deposit to do so”.
There was some speculation that he may not vie for the presidency given the weak standing of his United National Party (UNP). In 2020 the UNP suffered a serious split leading to the creation of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the current main opposition party.
“I am looking for everyone's support having performed the difficult task I undertook two years ago,” Wickremesinghe, also the country's finance minister, said referring to the unprecedented economic turmoil in the island nation that led to the ouster of the powerful Rajapaksa family from power in 2022.
Later, in a post on X, Wickremesinghe said,“With a clear vision and unwavering determination to elevate our nation on the global stage and transform it into a prosperous and thriving country, I am proud to announce my candidacy for the upcoming presidential election. In a time when our nation was in chaos and on the brink of bankruptcy, it was my love for this country and its people that drove me to take on the arduous task of rebuilding it. United with the strength and resilience of our people, we overcame financial ruin and restored normalcy to our daily lives.”
Nominations for the election are due by August 15. Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe has already submitted his nomination as the first candidate, having paid a non-refundable deposit to the election commission, according to his office.
Wickremesinghe, 75, took office in July 2022 after widespread protests caused by the debilitating financial crisis forced his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and later resign. (Courtesy First Post)
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