'Look Forward To Working With New Lankan Govt': Indian High Commission As Wickremesinghe Takes Oath

Wickremesinghe, who earlier served as the Prime Minister five times, was administered the oath of office by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

(Representative Image/ AFP)

New Delhi: With veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe taking oath as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister amid the ongoing economic crisis in the island nation, the Indian High Commission on Thursday said New Delhi looks forward to working with the new government in Colombo formed in accordance with democratic processes. “India’s commitment to people of Sri Lanka will continue,” said the Indian High Commission after Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister, PTI reported. “India looks forward to working with new Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes,” the High Commission added.

Wickremesinghe, who earlier served as the Prime Minister five times, was administered the oath of office by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

READ: Ranil Wickremesinghe Sworn In As New Sri Lanka's New Prime Minister

Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party since 1994, succeeds Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned as the Prime Minister earlier on Monday.

The development comes as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), led by Rajapaksa, has reportedly extended its support to Wickremesinghe so that he could command a majority in the Parliament.

The veteran Sri Lankan politician had earlier served as the Prime Minister from 1993 to 1994, 2001 to 2004, 2015 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019.

The 73-year-old United National Party leader was named the prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after they held closed-door discussions earlier on Wednesday.

Wickremesinghe, a lawyer by profession, is broadly acknowledged as a man who could deal with the economy with far-sighted policies and is seen as the Sri Lankan government official who could command international cooperation.