Former Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, is Appointed as the New Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Amid a Crisis
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Former Prime Minister and current leader United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickremesinghe, is appointed as the new prime minister of Sri Lanka.
Amid growing protests against the former leader, the five-time prime minister was approved, following the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother of the current president Gotabaya. Meanwhile, ordinary Sri Lankans continue to demand a new government.
Amid growing protests against the former leader, the five-time prime minister was approved, following the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother of the current president Gotabaya. Meanwhile, ordinary Sri Lankans continue to demand a new government.
At his Wednesday General Audience, on May 11th, Pope Francis made a appeal for Sri Lanka:
I address a special thought to the people of Sri Lanka, especially the young, who in recent times have made their voices heard in the face of the challenges and the social and economic problems of the country. I join with religious leader in urging all sides involved to maintain a peaceful approach, without giving in to violence. I appeal to all those with responsibility to listen to the aspirations of the people, guaranteeing the full respect of human rights and civil liberties. (Vatican .va excerpt)
AsiaNews reports that the change in head of government follows a meeting last night between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe at the President’s Office in the capital.
On Monday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is president's elder brother, resigned amid protests against the high cost of living and the poor management of the economy. The now former PM is widely accused of financial mismanagement and pushing the country “to the brink of bankruptcy”.
Last night’s meeting was designed to give the president an opportunity to explore the possibility of provisionally tasking Wickremesinghe with the job. The UNP leader reportedly accepted because he says he has a plan to address the country’s economic woes.
According to sources close to the government, the two met for about two hours. Most MPs, of every background (Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim) back Wickremesinghe for the PM post.
Wickremesinghe was prime minister from 1993 to 1994, 2001 to 2004, in 2015, in 2018 (twice) and 2019, probably a “world record”, this according to some political analysts.
For months, Sri Lanka has been struggling with the worst economic and financial crisis since independence. In mid-April the government, now in talks with the International Monetary Fund, declared default.
Shortages of food, fuel and other basics, along with frequent blackouts, have caused unrest in the country of 22 million. Amid the crisis, Buddhist and Catholic clergy have joined the anti-government movement, calling for the immediate end of the Rajapaksa administration.
AsiaNews reports that the change in head of government follows a meeting last night between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe at the President’s Office in the capital.
On Monday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is president's elder brother, resigned amid protests against the high cost of living and the poor management of the economy. The now former PM is widely accused of financial mismanagement and pushing the country “to the brink of bankruptcy”.
Last night’s meeting was designed to give the president an opportunity to explore the possibility of provisionally tasking Wickremesinghe with the job. The UNP leader reportedly accepted because he says he has a plan to address the country’s economic woes.
According to sources close to the government, the two met for about two hours. Most MPs, of every background (Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim) back Wickremesinghe for the PM post.
Wickremesinghe was prime minister from 1993 to 1994, 2001 to 2004, in 2015, in 2018 (twice) and 2019, probably a “world record”, this according to some political analysts.
For months, Sri Lanka has been struggling with the worst economic and financial crisis since independence. In mid-April the government, now in talks with the International Monetary Fund, declared default.
Shortages of food, fuel and other basics, along with frequent blackouts, have caused unrest in the country of 22 million. Amid the crisis, Buddhist and Catholic clergy have joined the anti-government movement, calling for the immediate end of the Rajapaksa administration.
Edited from Asia News It with excerpt from Vatican.va
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