India Assures Continued Support To Democracy, Stability And Economic Recovery In Sri Lanka

Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the new president of the island nation on Wednesday by a margin of 52 votes.

Protestors gather at presidential secretariat in Colombo (Source: File Photo/AFP)

New Delhi: As Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, India on Wednesday assured its neighbouring country that it will continue to be supportive of the quest of the people of Sri Lanka for stability and economic recovery, through democratic means and values, established democratic institutions and constitutional framework, said High Commission of India on microblogging site Twitter.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka, in exercise of the provisions of the Sri Lankan Constitution, has today elected H.E. Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the President of Sri Lanka.

As a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka and a fellow democracy, we will continue to be supportive (1/2)

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) July 20, 2022

of the quest of the people of Sri Lanka for stability and economic recovery, through democratic means and values, established democratic institutions and constitutional framework.(2/2)

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) July 20, 2022

India has been helping the island nation that is facing an unprecedented political crisis. India has provided financial assistance of about $4 billion to Sri Lanka in the form of loans or goods. India has been continuously providing oil, food grains, medicines, fertilizers, and essential items for children in Sri Lanka.

Amidst the political and economic crisis, Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the new president of the island nation on Wednesday by a margin of 52 votes. Three more candidates were in the fray for the post of President of the country.

Wickremesinghe was able to secure 134 votes in the 225-member parliament during the tri-cornered Presidential poll. Dullas Alahapperuma secured 82 votes and Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the third candidate, got just three votes, according to the secretary general of parliament.

Earlier, the name of prominent opposition leader Sajith Premadasa was also in the news in the presidential race, but he himself had announced to distance himself from the election as a candidate.