Who will succeed the current president of Sri Lanka? The candidates are listed below

Today, 22 million people in Sri Lanka, which is grappling with a worsening economic crisis and a lack of essential necessities like food and fuel, will vote for a new president. Following the departure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was accused of mismanaging the island nation’s economy, the election is being held.

Here is a look at the three candidates in the race for the top post

1. Rajapaksa’s SLPP, the largest bloc in the 225-member parliament, supports 73-year-old acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe. An opposition MP claimed that most members of the SLPP would support Wickremesinghe because of his tough attitude against protesters, which was favourably received by lawmakers who had experienced mob violence. Observers predict that Wickremesinghe, if elected, will severely repress the protesters who have accused him of defending the Rajapaksas’ interests.
2. Dullas Alahapperuma, a former journalist backed by the opposition and a dissident in the SLPP, will be Wickremesinghe’s main rival. In the event that he triumphs, the 63-year-old is anticipated to appoint Sajith Premadasa as prime minister. Premadasa withdrew his name from consideration and declared his support for Alahapperuma. According to analysts, the Opposition is doing everything in its power to prevent Wickeremesinghe from retaining his post as prime minister. They claim that Premadasa withdrew his candidacy because of this.
3. The communist People’s Liberation Front leader Anura Dissanayake, 53, who leads a coalition with three parliamentary seats, is the third candidate. He previously held the position of cabinet minister for agriculture, livestock, lands, and irrigation in the nation.