Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as PM of Sri Lanka
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Colombo: Neck-deep in the economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa government tried to reach out the Opposition's help to tie over the situation by appointing Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister of the nation.
The veteran lawmaker and former premier will become the new prime minister responding to the government's efforts to bring in a semblance of stability to the nation, Bloomberg reported.
Alongside the deepening crisis over shortages of food and fuel, the nation witnessed civil-war like situation with protesters surging the streets attacking the government minister's residences.
As the nation is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the government is in bailout talks with International Monetary Fund. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's central bank chief threatened to resign unless political order was restored immediately.
Given the situation, the government had no choice but seek the support of the Opposition to send the message across the nation that efforts are on to put the house in order.
Bloomberg reported after taking oath Wickremesinghe went to pay his respects at two Buddhist temples.
The new premier however sounded less optimistic in his first briefing with media after taking over the position. He said the next few months could even more difficult as Sri Lanka needed the support of other countries and the IMF.
He insightfully said that Sri Lankan needed to become people who can east three meals, rupee must value and young people need a future.
Wickremesinghe who is a lawyer by training, became a lawmaker first in 1977 and served a minister in several governemnts before becoming premier in the early 1990s.
In the elections following the Easter Sunday bombings, Wickremesinghe's United National Party didn't win a single seat, leading to bring the Rajapaksas back to power.
