In Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sworn in as the new Prime minister. He was sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapksa, his younger brother after Ranil Wickremsinghe resigned from his post today.
A 15-member cabinet is also expected to be sworn in by tomorrow.
The changes followed victory of Gotabaya Rajapksa at Saturday’s elections. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa served as two-term President during 2005 to 2015 and was barred from contesting Presidential elections because of two-term limit. Earlier, Mr. Wickremsinghe said that while his government still has the majority in Parliament, it was decided to respect the mandate given to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and step down.
The caretaker government not have majority in parliament and will carry routine work till parliamentary elections are held. As per constitution, parliament cannot be dissolved till February unless two-thirds of members pass a resolution to this effect. Meanwhile, United National Party (UNP) has written to the speaker to name Mr. Wickremsinghe as the leader of opposition.
