2022 Sri Lankan presidential election explained

Election Name:2022 Sri Lankan presidential election
Country:Sri Lanka
Type:presidential
Previous Election:2019 Sri Lankan presidential election
Previous Year:2019
Election Date:20 July 2022
Ongoing:no
Next Election:2024 Sri Lankan presidential election
Next Year:2024
Turnout:99.11%
Image1:File:President Dr Muizzu meets Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe (cropped).jpg
Candidate1:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Party1:United National Party
Electoral Vote1:134
Percentage1:61.19%
Candidate2:Dullas Alahapperuma
Party2:Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
Electoral Vote2:82
Percentage2:37.44%
President
Before Election:Ranil Wickremesinghe (acting)
After Election:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Before Party:United National Party
After Party:United National Party

An indirect presidential election was held in Sri Lanka on 20 July 2022 following the resignation of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 14 July. The president of Sri Lanka was elected by the Parliament in a secret ballot to decide who would complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's term.[1] [2] Candidates were nominated in the Parliament on 19 July in advance of the election the following day.[3] [4]

Ranil Wickremesinghe won the election with 134 votes and was elected as the ninth President of Sri Lanka.[5] The election, which was held amid a political crisis,[6] was the first time in the history of Sri Lanka that a vote took place in Parliament to elect a President.[7]

Procedure

According to the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act of 1981, "Where the office of President becomes vacant in terms of paragraph (1) of Article 38 of the Constitution, as provided by Article 40 of the Constitution, Parliament shall elect as President one of its members who is qualified to be elected to the office of President, to hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the President vacating office."[8] [9] Hence, following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 14 July, Parliament was charged with electing a replacement who would serve the remainder of Rajapaksa's term, which was supposed to end in November 2024.[10] The process was led by the Secretary General of Parliament. The Speaker of the Parliament also had a vote in the election. The vote was held through a secret ballot.[11]

Nominations

On 19 July, nominations for the presidency was called for in Parliament.[12] Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Leader Dinesh Gunawardena nominated Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Manusha Nanayakkara seconded it. MP Vijitha Herath nominated Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seconded by MP Harini Amarasuriya. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa nominated Dullas Alahapperuma's name which was seconded by SLPP Chairman G. L. Peiris.[13] The Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake announced the names of the nominees for president.[14]

Voting

Parliament met at 10:00 (SLST) on 20 July to elect the president through a secret ballot. Each MP is entitled to only one vote and the vote should be marked with the number "1" in the box in front of the candidate's name with an option to mark preferences when there are multiple candidates.[9]

After voting, the number of votes recorded for each candidate is counted. If a candidate receives more than half of the valid votes cast, the returning officer, i.e. the Secretary General of the Parliament, immediately announces that the candidate has been elected to the presidency. If no candidate gets more than half of the valid votes cast, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated from the competition. If each MP who voted as first preference for the candidate removed from the competition has their second preference, they will be added to the respective candidate. Even if no candidate has received more than half of the valid votes, the candidate who received the fewest votes in each calculation is removed from the competition, and votes are added to the remaining candidates in the second, third, etc. Even after doing so, if no candidate has obtained half of the valid number of votes, the election officer will declare that the candidate who obtained the majority of votes at the end of the counting as above has been elected to the office of President. Also, when the votes are equal between two or more candidates, a draw will be made at the sole discretion of the Returning Officer.[15]

Election schedule

According to the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act of 1981, "Where the office of President becomes vacant in terms of paragraph (1) of Article 38 of the Constitution, as provided by Article 40 of the Constitution, Parliament shall elect as President one of its members who is qualified to be elected to the office of President, to hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the President vacating office."[8] The constitution requires for a successor to be elected within 30 days.[1]

DateDayEvent
14 July 2022ThursdaySpeaker receives a letter of resignation from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
15 July 2022FridayConfirmation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation.
Speaker announces presidential election through Parliament within seven days.
16 July 2022SaturdaySecretary General of Parliament officially informs the House that the office of President has fallen vacant.
17 July 2022Sunday
18 July 2022MondayActing President Ranil Wickremesinghe issues a state of emergency across the island.
19 July 2022TuesdayNominations for the presidency were called for in Parliament.
20 July 2022WednesdayParliament elected the new president by a secret ballot.
21 July 2022ThursdayThe President-elect took oaths as the new Head of State of Sri Lanka.

Candidates

CandidatePolitical office and constituencyDate declaredProposer/
seconder		Notes

Dullas Alahapperuma
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna		Holds no office
Minister of Mass Media
(2021–2022)
Matara		15 July 2022Sajith Premadasa
G. L. Peiris		[16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Ranil Wickremesinghe
United National Party		Acting President
(15–21 July 2022)
Prime Minister
(12 May–21 July 2022)
Leader of the United National Party
(since 1994)
National list		16 July 2022Dinesh Gunawardena
Manusha Nanayakkara

Anura Kumara Dissanayake
National People's Power		Holds no office
Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
(since 2014)
Colombo		16 July 2022Vijitha Herath
Harini Amarasuriya		[21] [22]

Declined

Not nominated

Conduct

On 18 July, the Speaker of the Parliament requested police to conduct investigations on those who publish posts on social media networks threatening and exerting pressure to MPs regarding the voting in the presidential election,[31] and Police Headquarters gave instructions to the Computer Crimes Investigation Division to enforce the law against such people.[32]

After media reporting that some political parties asked their MPs to take a photo of their ballot papers to check if they defied the party line, speaker and the secretary-general of the Parliament warned parliamentarians not to show their ballot papers to anybody else. The MPs were also barred from bringing their mobile phones to the ballot box.[33] It was further informed that any moves to force an MP to photograph their ballot will result in them being banned from sitting in Parliament for seven years.[34]

Aftermath

Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the eight executive President of Sri Lanka in the Parliament before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. After Wickremesinghe was declared the winner, it was widely expected that the 2022 Sri Lankan protests would resume, as protestors had been demanding his resignation as Prime Minister.[5] [35]

The day after his victory, Wickremesinghe appointed SLPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena as Prime Minister. Gunawardena and Wickremesinghe were classmates during school days.[36]

On 22 July, Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Wickremesinghe on his election, stating that the country would "surely overcome temporary difficulties and push forward the process of economic and social recovery" under his leadership.[37]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Who will succeed Gotabaya when he resigns? Game of Thrones begins to pick next Lanka President . Mihindukulasuriya . Regina . Krishnankutty . Pia . . 12 July 2022 . 15 July 2022 . 15 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220715043945/https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/who-will-succeed-gotabaya-when-he-resigns-game-of-thrones-begins-to-pick-next-lanka-president/1035563/ . live .
  2. News: Sri Lanka: Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns after fleeing Sri Lanka. 15 July 2022. BBC News. 15 July 2022. 14 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714210753/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62160227. live.
  3. News: Sri Lanka Latest: Parliament to Elect New President July 20 . Ondaatjie . Anusha . Sirimanne . Asantha . . 12 July 2022 . 15 July 2022 . 11 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040320/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-11/sri-lanka-latest-opposition-to-cobble-all-party-government . live .
  4. Web site: Nominations presented to elect Sri Lanka's new President . Ada Derana . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719051229/http://www.adaderana.lk/news/83733/nominations-presented-to-elect-sri-lankas-new-president . live .
  5. News: Sri Lanka live news: Ranil Wickremesinghe elected president . Stepansky . Joseph . . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://archive.today/20220720072157/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/7/20/sri-lanka-live-news-parliamentarians-to-vote-for-new-president . live .
  6. News: 2022-04-04 . Sri Lanka: Reshuffle begins after cabinet quits over protests . en-GB . . 2022-07-20 . 27 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427071033/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60975941 . live .
  7. Web site: Sri Lanka gets new President: Ranil Wickremesinghe . 20 July 2022 . News First . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720071421/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/20/sri-lanka-gets-a-new-president-ranil-wickremesinghe-wins-with-134-votes/ . live .
  8. Web site: Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act . Parliament of Sri Lanka . LawNet . 17 July 2022 . 1981 . 21 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721153034/https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/presidential-electionsspecial-provisions/ . live .
  9. Web site: Vacant Presidency? Parliament procedure for election of President. Zulfick Farzan. 15 July 2022. 16 July 2022. News First. 15 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715060648/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/15/vacant-presidency-parliament-procedure-for-election-of-president/. live.
  10. News: Sri Lanka kicks off process to choose new president . . 16 July 2022 . 16 July 2022 . 16 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220716084457/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/16/sri-lanka-kicks-off-process-to-choose-new-president . live .
  11. Web site: Sri Lanka Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe declares Emergency . . 18 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719061315/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/ranil-declares-emergency-days-ahead-of-parliamentary-vote/article65654983.ece . live .
  12. News: RW, AKD, Dullas to contest for presidency tomorrow . Daily Mirror . 19 April 2022 . 19 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720121521/https://www.dailymirror.lk/latest_news/RW-AKD-Dullas-to-contest-for-presidency-tomorrow/342-241368 . live .
  13. News: Sri Lanka's crucial presidential vote becomes two-horse race . Economy Next . 19 April 2022 . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719050214/https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-crucial-presidential-vote-becomes-two-horse-race-97630/ . live .
  14. News: Ranil, Anura Kumara and Dullas nominated for President . Colombo Gazette . 19 April 2022 . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719050420/https://colombogazette.com/2022/07/19/ranil-anura-kumara-and-dullas-nominated-for-president/ . live .
  15. News: New President : How the votes will be counted ? . NewsWire . 19 April 2022 . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719143334/https://www.newswire.lk/2022/07/19/new-president-how-the-votes-will-be-counted/ . live .
  16. News: SLFP decided to back Dullas for President . 19 July 2022 . News First . 19 July 2022 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719162004/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/19/slfp-decided-to-back-dullas-for-president/ . live .
  17. Web site: Here Are The Main Contenders to Be Sri Lanka's Next President. 15 July 2022. Bloomberg News. 16 July 2022.
  18. Web site: TPA, ACMC, SLMC to back Dullas – Latest News Daily Mirror . www.dailymirror.lk . 19 July 2022 . English . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720121521/https://www.dailymirror.lk/latest_news/TPA-ACMC-SLMC-to-back-Dullas/342-241390 . live .
  19. Web site: Dullas Alahapperuma to contest for presidency . www.adaderana.lk . 19 July 2022 . en . 18 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220718025356/http://www.adaderana.lk/news/83669/dullas-alahapperuma-to-contest-for-presidency . live .
  20. Web site: SLPP in favor of Dullas for President, Sajith for PM . News First . 19 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720025406/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/19/slpp-in-favor-of-dullas-for-president-sajith-for-pm/ . live .
  21. Web site: AKD to contest for presidency from NPP – Latest News Daily Mirror . www.dailymirror.lk . 19 July 2022 . English . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719174705/https://www.dailymirror.lk/latest_news/AKD-to-contest-for-presidency-from-NPP/342-241221 . live .
  22. Web site: Sri Lanka: NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to contest for Presidency. ANI News. 16 July 2022. 21 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220721153022/https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/sri-lanka-npp-leader-anura-kumara-dissanayake-to-contest-for-presidency20220716143925/. live.
  23. Web site: Sri Lanka: Opposition leader ready to run for presidency. 12 July 2022. BBC News. 12 July 2022. 12 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220712122144/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62126321. live.
  24. Web site: Sajith withdraws candidacy; SJB to support Dullas for Presidency. 19 July 2022. Ada Derana. 19 July 2022. 19 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719054720/http://www.adaderana.lk/news/83732/sajith-withdraws-candidacy-sjb-to-support-dullas-for-presidency. live.
  25. Web site: Maithri asked to run for President in 2024 . August 2021 . 7 June 2022 . 16 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220716051626/https://www.themorning.lk/maithri-asked-to-run-for-president-in-2024/ . live .
  26. Web site: Maithripala warns of a divide in Parliament. 16 July 2022. Newsfirst. 19 July 2022. 18 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220718080049/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/16/maithripala-warns-of-a-divide-in-parliament/. live.
  27. Web site: Who shall succeed Gotabaya Rajapaksa? The frontrunners in Sri Lanka's presidential race . Firstpost.com . 18 July 2022. 2022-07-21 . 18 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220718224313/https://www.firstpost.com/world/the-five-men-who-are-tipped-to-steer-sri-lanka-out-of-current-crisis-10924621.html . live .
  28. Web site: War criminal Sarath Fonseka claims he is ready to be President. Tamil Guardian. 17 July 2022. 17 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717172030/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/war-criminal-sarath-fonseka-claims-he-ready-be-president. live.
  29. Web site: Crisis-Hit Sri Lanka Set For Three-Way Fight For President Post . Ndtv.com . 2019-02-22 . 2022-07-21 . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719094424/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/crisis-hit-sri-lanka-set-for-three-way-fight-for-president-post-3171692 . live .
  30. Web site: Buddhist clergy prep pick list for next Sri Lanka president – UCA News. ucanews.com. 17 July 2022. 17 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717173247/https://www.ucanews.com/news/buddhist-clergy-prep-pick-list-for-next-sri-lanka-president/98010. live.
  31. News: Social media threats for MPs : Complaint from Speaker . 18 July 2022 . NewsWire . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720061955/https://www.newswire.lk/2022/07/18/social-media-threats-for-mps-complaint-from-speaker/ . live .
  32. News: Threats to MPs, Police monitor Social Media . 18 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720063035/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/18/threats-to-mps-police-monitor-social-media/ . live .
  33. News: Sri Lanka Speaker asks MPs not to take their mobile phones for polling booth . 19 July 2022 . Economy Next . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720050716/https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-speaker-asks-mps-not-to-take-their-mobile-phones-for-polling-booth-97700/ . live .
  34. News: Who will the Speaker ban for 7 years from parliamentary sittings? . 19 July 2022 . Daily Mirror . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720121521/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Who-will-the-Speaker-ban-for-7-years-from-parliamentary-sittings/108-241375 . live .
  35. News: Sri Lanka: Ranil Wickeremesinghe elected president. 20 July 2022. BBC News. 20 July 2022. 20 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220720001943/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62202901. live.
  36. News: 21 April 2022 . Dinesh Gunawardena, Sri Lanka president's schoolmate, to be next PM: Report . Hindustan Times News .
  37. News: Qian . Ma . 2022-07-22 . Xi congratulates Wickremesinghe on election as Sri Lankan president . .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2022 Sri Lankan presidential election".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.