Sri Lanka's new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been sworn in, giving him a new set of challenges to address, including the recent violent protests amid the controversy with his predecessor.
The official's appointment as the country's new prime minister is largely seen as yet another arrogant response by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to quell weeks of protests over rising prices and shortages.
Sri Lanka's New Prime Minister
Wickremesinghe is seen as having a close relationship with the Rajapaksa family, and many believe that he was chosen to replace Mahinda Rajapaksa because he was likely to guarantee their security. In early April, protests in the region ramped up in the capital, Colombo, and have since grown.
The people of Sri Lanka express their frustration because the cost of living has become unaffordable and comes as nine people have died during demonstrations. However, some residents say that Wickremesinghe's experience and links with India and the West could help him overcome the economic crisis that is the cause of the protests, as per BBC.
In a statement, the new prime minister said that Sri Lanka was currently facing a crisis and had to get out of it. His answer came after his swearing-in, and he was asked whether or not there was a possible solution for the nation's current dilemma, to which he said, "Absolutely."
Wickremesinghe's appointment as Sri Lanka's new prime minister came as protesters stood in the tent city outside the president's office. One of the demonstrators, Jean Nathaniesz, said that she was not placated.
According to BBC, the resident said that if anything, she was getting angrier because she said that the president was making a deal. Nathanielsz is an octogenarian who has become a social media icon within the swelling protest movement in the country.
Closer Ties With India
The new prime minister being sworn in was met by an outpouring of criticism from protests, opposition politicians, and religious leaders. They foreshadowed even more political infighting and possibly even more unrest, situations that the country could not afford to experience.
A consultant at the International Crisis Group consultancy, Alan Keenan, who specializes in Sri Lankan politics, said that the new prime minister is the quintessence of the professional politician. He is characterized by connections to allegedly corrupt people who demonstrators are angry with. He added this was precisely the kind of insider back-scratching deal they were fighting against.
Wickremesinghe told reports after his swearing-in that he brushed off criticism and compared himself to Winston Churchill during World War II. He noted that the latter became prime minister because of the crisis at the time. He said that he would be able to provide food, medicine, fuel, and electricity to the people of Sri Lanka.
The official also said that he was looking forward to closer ties with India during his term and thanked the country for its economic assistance to Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis. The 73-year-old said he was grateful for all the help that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided to his nation, The Indian Express reported.
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