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Sri Lankan Presidential election LIVE: Voting ends amid silent protest

By Anuj Cariappa
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Colombo, July 20: The Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday began voting to elect the successor to Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a three-way presidential contest, following a high-voltage political drama which saw the former president fleeing the country and resigning after a popular uprising against his government for mismanaging the economy.

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and MPs Dullas Alahapperuma and Anura Kumara Dissanayake filed their nominations yesterday to become Sri Lanka's ninth President.

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12:16 PM, 20 Jul
Meanwhile, a silent protest is being held outside the Presidential secretariat in Colombo.
12:14 PM, 20 Jul
Any candidate desires to be present at the counting of votes he may do so or if he wishes to appoint another member to represent him at the counting to be informed to the returning officer after obtaining the consent of that member, Sri Lankan Secy-General announces to the House.
12:14 PM, 20 Jul
The returning officer will examine ballot papers and after rejecting invalid ballot papers if any, divide the remaining as per 1st preferences recorded for each candidate. He shall then count no. of preferences recorded for each candidate.
12:04 PM, 20 Jul
The voting for the Presidential election has ended and the counting of votes is on to declare the next President of Sri Lanka.
11:59 AM, 20 Jul
The vote counting process commences with the Secretary-General of Parliament checking for valid and invalid votes.
11:29 AM, 20 Jul
Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa casts his ballot.
11:27 AM, 20 Jul
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe votes in the Presidential Election in Parliament.
11:12 AM, 20 Jul
General Secretary of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNFP), MP Selvarasa Gajendran has abstained from voting, reports Sri Lanka's NewsWire.
10:54 AM, 20 Jul
TNA will be voting for Dullas Alahapperuma in the Presidential election, says TNA's Jaffna district's Member of Parliament Sumanthiran.
10:22 AM, 20 Jul
Voting begins for Sri Lankan Presidential election, reports Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror
10:17 AM, 20 Jul
Security tightened outisde Sri Lanka Parliament amid election.
9:41 AM, 20 Jul
We want to have joy again...The new President shouldn't take decisions just for his glory, & work for nations' betterment. Our concern is that those nominated are the same people, we don't expect much change, say Sri Lankans as the island nation is set to elect a new President today.
9:13 AM, 20 Jul
'We are watching you': Protesters to Sri Lankan Parliament ahead of presidential election
9:08 AM, 20 Jul
"Will champion anti-corruption, prosperity for all, credible & transparent government," tweets Sri Lanka LoP Sajith Premadasa as he arrived at Parliament Premadasa yesterday withdrew his candidacy for the position of President.
9:07 AM, 20 Jul
Sri Lankan MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has vowed to form an interim government and call for an election within six months if elected President.
9:07 AM, 20 Jul
The same day, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was handpicked by Rajapaksa, took charge as the acting President.
9:06 AM, 20 Jul
Rajapaksa, who fled the country on July 13 amid the protests, sent his resignation late on July 14, which was accepted by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on July 15.
9:05 AM, 20 Jul
Sri Lanka is set to hold elections today to get a new President to succeed former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

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