Now that the election is over, we have to end this division, the new president said. The premier became acting president after Rajapaksa fled the country last week and resigned by email. As the new president, Wickremesinghe now has the discretion to appoint a new prime minister. Presidents in Sri Lanka are normally elected by the public. The responsibility falls on parliament only if the Office of the President becomes vacant before a term officially ends.

Source: Manila Times July 21, 2022 04:29 UTC