Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 16: Gopal Baglay, the Indian High Commissioner, met with Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the parliament speaker of Sri Lanka on Saturday before the Sri Lankan Parliament’s meeting to elect the country’s new president. Baglay pledged that India would continue to support Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability, and economic recovery.
The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka on Twitter said, “High Commissioner called on Hon’ble Speaker today morning. Appreciated Parliament’s role in upholding democracy and Constitutional framework, especially at this crucial juncture. Conveyed that India will continue to be supportive of democracy, stability and economic recovery in Sri Lanka.”
Sajith Premadasa, the leader of Sri Lanka’s main opposition, had earlier on Friday declared his intention to run for president. Sajith Premadasa posted on Twitter, “I am contesting to be the President. The electorate is confined to 225 MPs with the GR (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) coalition dominating the numbers. Even though it is an uphill struggle, I am convinced that truth will prevail.”
In a special statement, interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that since Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had resigned from office in accordance with the Constitution, the Parliament will convene the following week to begin the process of electing a new leader.
With food and fuel shortages, Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its greatest economic crisis since gaining independence. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court issued an interim injunction preventing former leaders Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the nation without the court’s consent until July 28.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister of Sri Lanka, was sworn in as interim president on Friday after Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation was accepted by the speaker of the parliament, Abeywardena. Following his arrival in Singapore on Thursday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa formally tendered his resignation.
