New Delhi: Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is set to become the new President of Sri Lanka as he amassed 52% votes on Sunday morning in the presidential election held on Saturday. The 55-year-old left-leaning leader is perceived to be close to China.
Sajith Premadasa from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya with about 23% votes is in the second position. The incumbent President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was reported to be trailing with only 16% votes.
According to Sri Lankan Election Commission officials, out of 17 million registered voters, nearly 70% cast their votes to elect the island nation’s 10th President on Saturday.
The President election was held in the wake of the devastating economic crisis of 2020 which ultimately overthrew the Rajapaksa clan from power. In this election, former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Namil was also in the race but he faced a substantial defeat.
According to a report in Tamil OneIndia, Namal Rajapaksa also faced a substantial defeat.
Following his near-defeat, Namal Rajapaksa’s wife, father-in-law, and others left the country early this morning.
Reports indicate several prominent figures have fled abroad following the election results. It is reported that many officials have departed from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Namal Rajapaksa’s wife, Limini Vinoja Weerasinghe, and her father, Tilakasiri Weerasinghe, left for Dubai at 3:30 AM on Sunday. Since there is no direct flight to the U.S., they are traveling through Dubai to reach America, reports said.