Sri Lanka Prime Minister Sworn In As Acting President

Ranil Wickremesinghe

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe has been sworn in as the country's acting president on Friday, July 15, a government official said.

Wickremesinghe had already taken on the role after former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on Wednesday, July 13, following months of anti-government protests.

Wickremesinghe, 73, took his oath of office before chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Wickremesinghe’s office said in a brief statement.

According to the constitution, the prime minister automatically becomes president in the event of a resignation.

Wickremesinghe on Friday asked legislators to work towards a consensus to establish an all-party government in the crisis-ridden country and said he would follow the constitutional process and establish law and order after months of anti-Rajapaksa protests.

Parliament will now meet on Wednesday to elect a politician to serve out the remainder of Rajapaksa’s term ending in 2024, with nominations due the previous day.