Kochi: Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party will become Sri Lanka Prime Minister in the wake of a major political and economic crisis in the island nation, media reports said.
The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting between Ranil and President Gotabaya Rajapakse yesterday. Ranil is likely to be sworn in today itself. Mahinda Rajapaksa has already tendered his resignation.
Ranil had become Prime Minister four times in the past, the reports said.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and 12 others not to leave the country even as a public campaign against him and his kin is at its height.
About eight people have been killed and 250 injured in the unrest continuing for the last several days. There have been nasty clashes between Mahinda supporters and those opposing him in the last few days.
With demand for his arrest increasing, he and other family members occupying key posts in the government have been shifted to a secret location.
The protesters have put afire the houses of Mahinda and others.
Rajapaksa had influence in the nation’s politics for over two decades.
The President Gotabaya, who is his brother, is the only person from the family remaining in power.
Gotabaya has extensive executive power and is the supreme commander of the armed forces.
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Ranil likely to be new PM
