Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankas new Prime Minister, vows to improve relations with India

Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his country’s
relations with India will “become much better” as he “must fulfil” the
challenge of uplifting the country’s debt-ridden economy.

Also Read: Ranil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier

Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the United National Party (UNP), was
sworn in as the prime minister for the sixth time by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in
Colombo on Thursday.

“I have taken on a challenge of uplifting the economy and I must
fulfill it,” Wickremesinghe told reporters.

Also Read: Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?

Taking questions from the press, he answered a question on the India-Sri
Lanka relationship. “It will become much better,” he responded.

“They should stay. We want them to stay. If they want to talk,
yes,” Wickremesinghe when asked about the protesters.

Also Read: What happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?

The Indian High Commission in Colombo reiterated the country’s commitment to
the people of Sri Lanka after Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the prime
minister.

“High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks
forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with
democratic processes pursuant to the swearing-in of Hon’ble @RW_UNP as the
Prime Minister of SriLanka,” the high commission said in a tweet.

Also Read: In the making: A South Asian economic crisis?

“India’s commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue,” it
added.

Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as the prime minister on Monday, following
violent incidents reported between pro-government groups and anti-government
protesters.

In 2018, a political tussle with the powerful Rajapaksa family also threw
the country into crisis with Mahinda taking over the premiership for six weeks
before the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional.

Also Read: Sri Lanka’s President declares emergency amid protests over economic crisis

Wickremesinghe returns to the office to replace Mahinda Rajapaksa, who
resigned on Monday after his supporters attacked anti-government demonstrators,
and later had to be rescued from his residence by the military.

In his sixth term, Wickremesinghe will be taking charge of a bankrupt nation
in default of its $51-billion foreign debt and without money to import
essential goods.