Sri Lankan protesters burn effigy of Wickremesinghe as opposition leader leaves presidential race

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Demonstrators in Colombo, Sri Lanka burned an effigy of acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe as his main opponent, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, dropped out of the race and instead backed a low-profile politician from the ruling party.

"We made this sacrifice for the ordinary people. Personal political victories must turn into victories for the country,” Premadasa said.

Six-time prime minister Wickremesinghe took over as acting president after an uprising forced former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

Sri Lanka is gripped by a devastating economic crisis and frustrated protesters have been angered by rocketing prices, as well as shortages of food and fuel.