Just hours after being appointed as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe responded to a question about his approach to relations with India, which he vowed would “become much better” under his leadership.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said it remains committed to supporting the people of Sri Lanka and the country at large in their struggle for political stability.
#India's commitment to the people of #SriLanka will continue. (2/2)
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) May 12, 2022
In fact, after now-former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down from his position on Monday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said that India’s intentions in Sri Lanka are always “guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka” and a respect for the democratic processes of the country. He further informed that India’s assistance to Sri Lanka was made made in pursuance of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, via which it has upwards of $3.5 billion in aid and provided other essential items such as food and medicine.
During his first address as PM on Thursday, Wickremesinghe said that he has been appointed to take on the “challenge of uplifting the economy” and would fulfil the demands of the people.
My best wishes to the newly appointed PM of #LKA, @RW_UNP, who stepped up to take on the challenging task of steering our country through a very turbulent time. I look forward to working together with him to make Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 strong again. pic.twitter.com/ysIZGH3wfA
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) May 12, 2022
Wickremesinghe also vowed to refrain from cracking down on the ongoing protests at Galle Face Green, which earlier this week resulted in an altercation between pro- and anti-government protesters that left at least eight dead and close to 200 injured. “They should stay. We want them to stay. If they want to talk, yes,” he said.
United National Party (UNP) chief Wickremesinghe made the remarks just hours after he was sworn-in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo. The President said that he looks forward to working with the new PM to steer the country out of its “turbulent time.” According to Sudewa Hettiarachchi, a spokesperson for President Rajapaksa, a new cabinet will also be brought in by Friday.
Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa wishes to the newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 💉 (@SriLankaTweet) May 12, 2022
" I wish you all the best as you navigate these troubled times" - @PresRajapaksa #LKA #SriLanka @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/DzwqtPVg6s
The appointment was made following a closed-door meeting between the pair on Wednesday, just two days after the president’s brother Mahinda stepped down in response to public dismay over the government’s handling of the economic crisis. His resignation also resulted in the automatic dissolution of the Cabinet, which was reformed just last month after all ministers vacated their posts.
In the run-up to Wickremesinghe’s appointment, President Rajapaksa vowed to install a new cabinet under a newly appointed PM after consulting with all political parties to ensure that the PM “commands the majority in the Parliament.”
In addition, he reiterated his promise to amend the constitution to diminish the powers of the President and enhance those of the PM and the Parliament and give the cabinet the “opportunity to present a new programme and to take the country forward.”
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Wickremesinghe’s appointment was celebrated by several opposition leaders, who have been calling for the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa for months now. Tamil member of Parliament Dharmalingam Sithadthan celebrated Wickremesinghe’s accession to the role as a “historic event.”
UNP official Vajira Abeywardena said that Wickremesinghe’s appointment is indicative of the “desperate situation” in Sri Lanka, noting that the PM was appointed “to take over and solve the country’s problems.” He reassured that Wickremesinghe has the support of 160 legislators in the 225-member parliament.
Furthermore, UNP national organiser Sagala Ratnayaka said that the PM had taken up the position when “no one was taking this challenge.” He remarked, “It is a terrible time to be the prime minister in Sri Lanka … This will be his toughest run.” He revealed, however, that Wickremesinghe will lay down his plan in the next two days.
Congratulations to the newly appointed Prime Minister of #lka, @RW_UNP. I wish you all the best as you navigate these troubled times.
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) May 12, 2022
Meanwhile, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his scepticism about Wickremesinghe’s appointment being accepted by the people of the country. He opined, “The only thing that will happen is Ranil believes Gotabaya, and Gotabaya believes Ranil. Not a single citizen will believe what they do.” Along the same lines, the General Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, Pubudu Jagoda, questioned the legitimacy of an appointment by a president who has lost the trust of the people. He further highlighted that Wickremesinghe had previously lost the election in the Colombo District. To this end, he called on Rajapaksa to “explain” his decision.
Wickremesinghe has served as Sri Lanka’s PM on five previous occasions. He first held the position from 1993 to 1994, wherein he was appointed after erstwhile President Ranasinghe Premadasa was assassinated. Thereafter, from 2001 to 2004, he served as the PM under the Presidency of Chandrika Bandaranayake. In 2015, he was once again brought into the position separately in January and August after the two general elections appointed Maithripala Sirisena as the President. Sirisena dismissed him in October 2018 but he was reappointed in December 2018 on public demand. However, after Sirisena’s defeat by the Rajapaksa brothers in the general elections in November 2019, the UNP Chief was forced to step down.
During his current tenure, he has been given the herculean task of bringing Sri Lanka out of its ongoing economic crisis. According to Al Jazeera, he has often been viewed as a “pro-West free-market reformist,” which could help in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
#SriLanka: Hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new PM, protesters outside the Presidential Secretariat remind him of their original and chief demand: "Go home" 👇🏾#lka via @the_hindu #SriLankaProtests #SriLankaEconomicCrisis pic.twitter.com/ifIG6a3zSl
— Meera Srinivasan (@Meerasrini) May 12, 2022
Amid the ongoing political turmoil, the Magistrate’s Court in Colombo banned 24 individuals, including former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, from travelling abroad while the investigation over Monday’s clashes is ongoing. Several former ministers, including Minister of Youth and Sports and Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Namal, have also barred from leaving Sri Lanka.