Shoot-on-sight orders in Sri Lanka as Ranil elected President by Parliament

Nation in a very difficult situation and there are big challenges ahead, says Wickremesinghe as protesters gather outside Presidential Secretariat

Sri Lankan lawmakers voted in acting President Ranil Wickre­mesinghe as the new president on Wednesday, hoping his long experience in government would help pull the country out of a crippling economic and political crisis.

The six-time prime minister garnered 134 votes in the 225-member parliament, despite public anger with the ruling elite after months of severe shortages of fuel, food and medicines. Meanwhile, the defence ministry orders troops to shoot on sight anyone involved in looting or “causing harm to life”.

“Our country is facing massive challenges and we have to work on a new strategy to fulfil the aspirations of the