Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the Sri Lankan opposition, withdrew from the contest for president of the island nation on Tuesday. Premadasa threw his support to Dullas Alahapperuma, a rival candidate.

Premadasa posted on Twitter, "For the greater good of my country that I love and the people I cherish, I now withdraw my candidacy for the position of president," He stated, "our alliance and opposition partners will work tirelessly to make Dullas Alahapperuma the victor."

Alahapperuma, a former journalist and Cabinet minister in the previous Rajapaksa administration, is a senior member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). The presidential election will take place on July 20. In a secret ballot, 225 members of the House will cast their votes.

Daily, Sri Lankans continue to line up at gas stations across the country due to a fuel shortage. People are substituting bicycles for automobiles and motorcycles for their everyday commute. A severe economic crisis has caused a lack of essentials, including medicines, across the country. People have been protesting rising fuel costs for several months.

In the meantime, security increased in and around Sri Lanka's Parliament complex on Tuesday after the Speaker filed a complaint with the Inspector General of Police requesting a thorough inquiry into some incendiary social media remarks that threatened members of Parliament.

The objection was lodged by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena hours before Parliament's presidential nominees were to be accepted.