The ceremony was due to be broadcast live on local television but was inexplicably cut off just before the swearing-in got underway


Colombo: Sri Lanka’s six-time Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has sworn in Thursday as president of the crisis-hit South Asian nation ahead of forming a unity government, his office said.
Wickremesinghe, 73, who was elected by legislators on Wednesday, took his oath of office before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the tightly-guarded parliament complex, a statement from his office said.
Sri Lanka’s police chief and top military brass stood behind the new president as the oath was administered in the presence of parliamentary speaker Mahinda Abeywardana.
The brief ceremony was due to be broadcast live on local television but was inexplicably cut off just before the swearing-in got underway.
Officials said an investigation into the unexpected breakdown had been launched.
Official sources said the new leader was expected to form a cabinet not exceeding 30 ministers to steer the country out of its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain.
Sri Lanka is suffering lengthy power blackouts and the country’s 22 million have been enduring shortages of fuel, food, and medicines for months.
Public anger over the hardships boiled over when tens of thousands of protesters stormed the home of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, forcing him to step down and clearing the way for Wickremesinghe’s election.
SOURCE: AFP

Pakistan on Trump’s new travel ban list alongside 42 others
- 4 hours ago

Snapchat is rolling out AI-powered video lenses
- 4 hours ago

US VP warns green card holders of potential legal, immigration risks
- 5 hours ago

Former reality TV star wins longest-ever Iditarod
- 36 minutes ago
Police book singer Naseebo Lal's husband in domestic violence case
- 9 minutes ago

100 acres of land allocated for Danish University: PM
- 2 hours ago

Moft’s new origami case elevates the iPad for improved ergonomics
- 4 hours ago

Pakistan establishes crypto council, appoints head
- 5 hours ago

Snowfall cuts land communication in Astore
- 5 hours ago

Laptop charged in few minutes with solar energy introduced
- 3 hours ago

Wholesale price of sugar reduced by Rs10 per kg
- 5 hours ago

Facebook, Instagram, and Threads start testing Community Notes next week
- 4 hours ago