Protesters sombre after Wickremesinghe’s win, but some vow to fight on

Thursday, 21 July 2022 01:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Activists at Galle Face protest against Ranil Wickremesinghe who was elected as President via a secret ballot in Parliament – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

Demonstrators take part in a procession carrying an effigy of interim Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a protest in front of the Fort railway station in Colombo – AFP

REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s imposing Presidential Secretariat which was stormed by a sea of protesters in early July, forcing out then incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was almost deserted yesterday as his replacement was voted in.

Parliament’s selection of Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time Prime Minister, as Sri Lanka’s next President was a deep disappointment for many protesters at the secretariat and adjoining protest camp in the commercial capital Colombo, which has been the epicentre of nationwide demonstrations.

“The reason why people came out against Gota(baya) was not a personal grudge. It was protesting for ideals and values he held,” said Buwanaka Perera, a 26-year-old protester.

“We see those same values, corruption and oppression in Ranil.” A lawyer with a reputation as a wily political operator and seen as close to the Rajapaksa family, Wickremesinghe secured the Presidency in the parliamentary vote despite fierce public opposition to his candidacy.

Speaking to lawmakers in Parliament after his victory, Wickremesinghe urged Opposition leaders to work together with his administration, which faces the task of pulling Sri Lanka out of its worst economic crisis in seven decades.

“Our country is facing massive challenges and we have to work on a new strategy to fulfil the aspirations 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 minutes, before the small group of protesters left the steps of the secretariat.

But some vowed to keep up their protest against the 73-year-old leader.

“I am not surprised, but still disappointed at how corrupt and unfair the system is,” Kasumi Ranasinghe Arachchige, 26, said.

“We won’t back down, we won’t settle for anything less,” she said. “We will fight for what we deserve.”

Legal action against occupiers

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.