Ranil Wickremesinghe who was sworn in as the Prime Minister last evening commenced his duties at the Prime Minister's Office in Colombo.
Ranil Wickremesinghe is the 26th Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned followed by a wave of violence that erupted across the country after a group of supporters of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked the protestors at the Galle Face Green in Colombo due to the severe economic crisis in the country.
Subsequently, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invited the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa for the post of Prime Minister, but he did not respond favorably to the proposal, citing various conditions.
Afterwards the Prime Minister had a discussion with Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, the Deputy Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
During the discussion which lasted for more than two and a half hours, the President had invited him for the post of Prime Minister.
However, it was only after Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka rejected the proposal that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had summoned Ranil Wickremesinghe for a discussion last night.
The President and the UNP Leader had a lengthy discussion on the current economic and political crisis in the country and concluded the discussions with Ranil Wickremesinghe agreeing to assume the responsibilities of the Prime Minister.
Accordingly, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Prime Minister at 6.34 pm yesterday.
This is the sixth time he has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
CABINET to be limited to 20?
Following the swearing in of the new Prime Minister, much attention has been focused on the cabinet to be appointed.
Political sources say that the new cabinet will be sworn in before the President next Monday.
However, the group of ten parties representing MP Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Udaya Gammanpila have decided NOT to accept ministerial posts in the new government.
Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka Weerasumana Weerasinghe stated that this decision was taken at a meeting held yesterday.
However, a special Central Committee meeting is being held to decide on accepting ministry portfolios by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Also, a group meeting of the Samagi Jana bala wegaya is being held under the chairmanship of the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.
According to the internal sources of the party, the Samagi Janabalawegaya will not take over any ministry post as per the agreement reached so far.
Although the TNA had earlier stated that it would not support the new government, it has now changed its stance.
The President will convene the SLPP group of MPs tomorrow, where a final decision whether to accept ministry posts will be taken.
However, government sources stated that the new cabinet will be sworn in next Monday morning.
The Cabinet will be limited to 20 and several Deputy Ministers will be appointed for the Ministries with different scope. However, no decision has been taken yet regarding the appointment of state ministers.
Ranil Wickremesinghe is the 26th Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned followed by a wave of violence that erupted across the country after a group of supporters of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked the protestors at the Galle Face Green in Colombo due to the severe economic crisis in the country.
Subsequently, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invited the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa for the post of Prime Minister, but he did not respond favorably to the proposal, citing various conditions.
Afterwards the Prime Minister had a discussion with Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, the Deputy Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
During the discussion which lasted for more than two and a half hours, the President had invited him for the post of Prime Minister.
However, it was only after Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka rejected the proposal that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had summoned Ranil Wickremesinghe for a discussion last night.
The President and the UNP Leader had a lengthy discussion on the current economic and political crisis in the country and concluded the discussions with Ranil Wickremesinghe agreeing to assume the responsibilities of the Prime Minister.
Accordingly, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Prime Minister at 6.34 pm yesterday.
This is the sixth time he has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
CABINET to be limited to 20?
Following the swearing in of the new Prime Minister, much attention has been focused on the cabinet to be appointed.
Political sources say that the new cabinet will be sworn in before the President next Monday.
However, the group of ten parties representing MP Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Udaya Gammanpila have decided NOT to accept ministerial posts in the new government.
Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka Weerasumana Weerasinghe stated that this decision was taken at a meeting held yesterday.
However, a special Central Committee meeting is being held to decide on accepting ministry portfolios by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Also, a group meeting of the Samagi Jana bala wegaya is being held under the chairmanship of the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.
According to the internal sources of the party, the Samagi Janabalawegaya will not take over any ministry post as per the agreement reached so far.
Although the TNA had earlier stated that it would not support the new government, it has now changed its stance.
The President will convene the SLPP group of MPs tomorrow, where a final decision whether to accept ministry posts will be taken.
However, government sources stated that the new cabinet will be sworn in next Monday morning.
The Cabinet will be limited to 20 and several Deputy Ministers will be appointed for the Ministries with different scope. However, no decision has been taken yet regarding the appointment of state ministers.
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