Sri Lanka’s Ranil Wickremesinghe named new PM in bid to end political instability
- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed the veteran politician as the new premier in an effort to bring stability to the violence-hit island nation
- Rajapaksa also promised constitutional changes to give more power to the parliament
Sri Lanka’s president swore in veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new prime minister on Thursday, officials said.
The 73-year-old had taken his oath of office, according to the media office of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who faces widespread protests demanding his resignation over the country’s worsening economic crisis.
Earlier, Rajapaksa also promised constitutional changes to give more power to the parliament, a long-held demand of the protesters. They have also demanded the amendment curtail the sweeping powers of the president’s office.
“I will give the opportunity for the new government and prime minister to start a new programme to take the country forward,” the leader said.
Wickremesinghe has already served in the office five times – but it remains unclear if he will be able to get any legislation through parliament.
“We are facing a crisis, we have to get out of it,” Wickremesinghe said as he left a temple in the main city of Colombo shortly after his swearing-in. Asked whether there was a possible solution, he replied: “Absolutely.”