Sri Lanka: ‘I have taken the challenge, I will bring the country’s economy back on track’, said new PM Ranil Wickremesinghe [TKB World]

Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister on Thursday amid the biggest economic crisis in Sri Lanka. After becoming the Prime Minister, he said that his first priority is to bring Sri Lanka out of the economic crisis by fixing the economy. Along with this, he said on the relationship with India that the relations between the two countries will be even better during his tenure.

Mahinda Rajapaksa had to resign from the post of Prime Minister amid the deteriorating economic condition of the country and violent demonstrations. United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was administered the oath by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Even before this, Wickremesinghe has served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka five times.

After taking oath as PM, Wickremesinghe told reporters that I have taken the challenge of bringing the country’s economy back on track and I will fulfill it. During this, he said on the question of India that the relationship between the two would be better than before. When the new Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was asked about the protesters, he said that we are ready to talk to them if they want to talk.

Looking forward to working with Sri Lanka

After Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in, the Indian High Commission on Thursday said that India looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with democratic procedures and New Delhi’s commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue.