Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as 23rd PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka before President Maithripala Sirisena today (December 16) at the Presidential Secretariat. The premier was sworn in before the President at the auspicious time of 11.16 a.m. A group of MPs along with Ranil Wickremesinghe left the presidential secretariat after an hour. Speaking to the media, Deputy Leader of the UNP Sajith Premadasa said that hate cannot be overcome with more hate and that now personal problems and personal agendas must be put aside now. He continued to say that instead the problems of the 22 million people of the country should be put on to the top of the national agenda and that the fundamental rights of the people suffering from poverty should be granted. Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe then arrived at Temple Trees where he addressed the parliamentarians and the party supporters gathered there. The premier said that he will now assume his duties as Prime Minister after which the cabinet of Ministers should be named. He continued to say that they are now dedicated to restoring normalcy and bringing about the development in the country. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that they could be proud that the parliament and the supreme court carried out their duties in a legal manner.