Ranil Wickremesinghe, the head of the United National Party (UNP), was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on Thursday, amid the country’s greatest economic crisis and violent anti-government rallies.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa delivered the oath of office to Wickremesinghe, who has served as Prime Minister five times. According to the Daily Mirror, Wickremesinghe accepted the position of Prime Minister after winning the backing of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs.
Sajith Premadasa, the leader of Sri Lanka’s Opposition, warned earlier today that if United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickramasinghe is elected Prime Minister, his party will “design a strategy.”
Sajith mentioned a letter he wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in which he declared his preparedness to take over as Prime Minister if his party’s demands are realised.
“I will not comment on the conjecture, but if it occurs, we will launch our approach as quickly as possible. We are the country’s largest opposition party, and we are familiar with the political system “He said this in response to a query about Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Food and fuel shortages, skyrocketing prices, and power outages are hurting a large number of Sri Lankans, leading in massive protests against the government’s handling of the situation.
