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โ€œWants To Thanks PM Modiโ€: New PM Of Sri Lanks As He Takes In Charge

Colombo: Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankaโ€™s new Prime Minister, has expressed his desire for better connections with India during his term and praised India for its economic help as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis since independence.

On Thursday, 73-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lankaโ€™s 26th Prime Minister, with the goal of stabilising the countryโ€™s debt-ridden economy and ending political unrest.

โ€œI want a closer relationship and I want to thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,โ€ Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said, referring to the Indian economic assistance to his country.

India said on Thursday that it looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government, which was created through democratic processes, and that New Delhiโ€™s commitment to the islandโ€™s people will remain unchanged.

The country has been without a government since Monday, when President Gotabaya Rajapaksaโ€™s elder brother and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa quit after violence erupted following his supportersโ€™ attack on anti-government protestors.

The attack sparked widespread violence against Rajapaksa supporters, with nine people killed and over 200 more injured.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stated that his priority was to address the economic situation.

โ€œI want to settle this problem to ensure the supply of petrol, diesel and electricity to the people,โ€ Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of its biggest economic crisis since its 1948 independence from the United Kingdom. A lack of foreign currency has contributed to the issue, since the country has been unable to pay for imports of basic goods and gasoline, resulting in severe shortages and exorbitant costs.

Asked if he could sustain his premiership in the 225-member Parliament since he only has only one seat, he said: โ€œI will prove the majority when it comes to thatโ€.

Referring to the island-wide protests, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the main protest near president Gotabaya Rajapaksaโ€™s secretariat for over a month now would be allowed to continue.

โ€œI will talk to them (protesters) if they are willing,โ€ he said.

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