The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to support MP Dullas Alahapperuma in the contest for the Presidency in Parliament.
In a Twitter message, Opposition and SJB leader MP Sajith Premadasa announced that he will withdraw his candidacy for the position of President.
“For the greater good of my country that I love and the people I cherish I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the position of President. @sjbsrilanka and our alliance and our opposition partners will work hard towards making @DullasOfficial victorious,” MP Sajith Premadasa said.
The post of President became vacant following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to public uprisings against him over Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was thereafter appointed acting President until a new President is elected via Parliament.
Nominations for the Presidency will be accepted by the Secretary-General of Parliament when proceedings commence at 10.00 am today.
Initially, it was announced that Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) Dullas Alahapperuma, SJB’s Sajith Premadasa, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake had announced their intention to contest for the presidency.
However, Opposition and SJB leader MP Sajith Premadasa has withdrawn ahead of the election.
The vote to elect a new President of Sri Lanka will be held in Parliament tomorrow, the 20th of July 2022. (NewsWire)
