'Figment of imagination': India shreds propaganda of influencing Sri Lanka President polls

India on Wednesday strongly denied propaganda that country was attempting to 'influence political leers' in Sri Lanka on Presidential Elections calling reports 'completely false'. Issuing a statement on Twitter, Indian High Commission in Colombo called  speculative media reports 'a figment of someone’s imagination' and reiterated India's support for realization of aspirations of people of Sri Lanka in accordance with democratic means. It also asserted that India doesn’t interfere in internal affairs and democratic processes of any or country.

Last week, Indian High Commission in Colombo h to deny reports claiming that New Delhi facilitated travel of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of island nation. Affirming its support to people of Sri Lanka, High Commission busted  foreign propaganda report which alleged India's hand in facilitating Rajapaksa's travel to Maldives amid mounting crises in country. Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled abro on Wednesday and resigned after months-long mass protests over country’s economic collapse. 

Ranil Wikramsinghe elected Sri Lanka President 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been elected as new President of country after he received 134 votes in his favor.  Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday began voting to elect successor to Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a three-way presidential contest between Wickremesinghe, Marxist JVP leer Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Dullas Alahapperuma, a breakaway Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna candidate. Voting followed high-voltage political drama that saw former president fleeing country and resigning after a popular uprising against his government for mismanaging economy.

Amidst tight security in wake of simmering tensions in island nation, voting began on Wednesday morning with a secret ballot. To win election, a candidate needed to cross magical figure of 113 in 225-member House. Wickremesinghe secured a comfortable majority with 134 votes followed by Dullas who received 82 votes and Anura who bagged 3 votes. Notably, Leer of Opposition of Sri Lanka Sajith Premasa, withdrew his Presidential candidature on Tuesday extending his support to Dullas. 

Wickremesinghe is expected to serve remaining tenure of Rajapaksa till November 2024. After election, Parliament will convene again on July 27.

(With agency inputs)