Shed old party politics – President Ranil

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was elected as the eighth Executive President of Sri Lanka, requested all Parties to join hands and unite to implement a new system as the period of division is now over.

President elect Wickremesinghe extended a special invitation to his rival candidates, Dullas Alahapperuma, Anura Dissanayake, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena and the Tamil political parties.

Addressing Parliament following the announcement of the results of the race for presidency, the President-elect said the public does not want old politics and therefore Parliament must unite and work towards specific goals to ensure the country’s way forward.

Wickremesinghe said he was glad to have Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announce his victory as they had commenced their political careers together in 1973.

The President-elect said 43 years of his life has been spent in Parliament. “My life was spent in this parliament. Therefore, I thank Parliament for providing me this honour.”

Wickremesinghe said this was the only instance a vote was held in Parliament to select a Head of State, adding however they were able to conduct and elect a President without any incident through discussion.

He also conveyed his gratitude to all Parliamentarians who worked towards his victory and for all other MPs who participated and voted at the election.

The President-elect said that it is a well-known fact that the country is facing great difficulties, and the country’s youth are demanding a change in system.