Sri Lanka's New PM Takes Charge

Sri Lanka's New PM Takes Charge.

Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he looks forward to closer ties with India during his stay and thanked India for its financial assistance in overcoming the worst financial crisis since independence.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, 73, became the 26th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on Thursday to stabilize the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.

"I want a close relationship and would like to thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi," Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said of India's economic assistance to his country.

He was speaking at a religious ceremony last night after he was Inaugurated.

India has pledged more than the US $ 3 billion in debt, credit taxes, and debt transfers to Sri Lanka, which is mired in debt since January this year.

India on Thursday said it looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government, which has been formed in line with democratic norms and will continue New Delhi's commitment to the island nation.

The 73 -year -old United National Party (UNP) president has taken over as Prime Minister of the United National Party (UNP), the elder brother of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has been in the absence of the government since Monday.

The attack provoked widespread violence against Rajapakse believers, nine people died and more than 200 were injured.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said his focus was limited to dealing with the economic crisis.

"I would like to solve this problem to ensure that people are providing petrol, diesel, and electricity," Prime Minister Vikramasinghe said.

Sri Lanka has been facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. This crisis is part of the shortage of foreign currency, which means that it is not possible to import major foods and fuel, which is severe.

"I will do the job I have to do".

Asked if he could retain his premiums because he had only one seat in the 225 -member parliament, he said: "When it comes, I will prove a majority."

Speaking about the island-level demonstrations, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the secretariat of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse would be allowed to continue for more than a month.

Sources said that the ruling Sri Lanka Bodujana Peramuna (SLPP), a part of the main opposition party, and many other parties have expressed their support for Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament.

However, many sections opposed the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister.

The JVP and the TNA claimed that his appointment was unconstitutional.

The trade union and political party for the estate community of the Indian origin, the Ceylon Workers Congress, said they were supporting Prime Minister Wickramasinghe.