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STORY: 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.

Sri Lanka's presidential secretariat was stormed by a sea of protesters in early July, forcing out then incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe, who took over as acting president last week, is a lawyer with a reputation as a wily political operator. He is seen as close to the Rajapaksa family.

"Our country is facing massive challenges and we have to work on a new strategy to fulfil the aspirations of the people," the 73-year-old leader said after his victory.