Mahinda Rajapaksa Sworn in as new PM of Sri Lanka

Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as new PM of Sri Lanka:

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on November 21, 2019. He was administered the oath of the office by incumbent President Gotabaya Rajapksa and his younger brother.

Mahinda Rajapaksa took oath as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka after Ranil Wickremesinghe resigned from his post after his presidential election defeat. A 15-member cabinet is also expected to be sworn in on November 22.

Speaking after his swearing-in ceremony, Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he was honoured to have taken the oath as Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister. He said that he was looking to take Sri Lanka forward with a new vision.

Why did Ranil Wickremsinghe resign?

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe formally resigned from his post on November 20 after his party suffered a huge defeat in the recently concluded Sri Lankan Presidential Elections 2019.

Ranil Wickremesinghe's party, the United National Party (UNP) had nominated Sajith Premadasa for the Presidential post but Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger brother Gotabaya Rajapksa emerged as the clear winner.