Sri Lanka parliament has voted Ranil Wickremesingh as the new president on Wednesday.
Mr Wickremesinghe has been serving as the caretaker president ever since former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and emailed his resignation days later.
According to independent source, Ranil secured 134 votes in the 225-member house, while his main rival, ruling party lawmaker Dullas Alahapperuma, got 82.
Another candidate, Marxist leader Anura Dissanayake received just three votes, reported the Associated Press.
“I thank parliament for this honour,” said Mr Wickremesinghe, who has served as prime minister for a record six times.
Speaking with reporters, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna general secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said “This is [an] economic crisis and not a political crisis.”
“We feel that Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only person with the experience, the know-how and the capacity to provide solutions to the economic crisis.”
As president, he is to complete Rajapaksa’s term which was scheduled to end in 2024.
The vote could lead to political turmoil in the south Asian island state reeling from its worst economic crisis in memory and Mr Wickremesinghe, 73, has faced anger from protesters who want him gone because of his handling of the economy.
Mr Wickremesinghe, appointed as prime minister in May, is a seasoned politician with experience in diplomatic and international affairs.
Brought in by his predecessor, he has been leading crucial talks on an economic bailout package with the International Monetary Fund.
