Rajapaksa sworn in as new Sri Lanka PM

Under the constitution, Wickremesinghe could continue as prime minister until March when the president can legally dissolve Parliament.

Colombo: Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the country's new Prime Minister at a ceremony in Colombo on Thursday.

Ranil Wickremesinghe announced on Wednesday he would step down clearing the way for Parliament to choose a prime minister to work with newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Soon after the announcement, Rajapaksa named his brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the next prime minister.

The move clears the first hurdle for Rajapaksa in appointing his own Cabinet.

Under the constitution, Wickremesinghe could continue as prime minister until March when the president can legally dissolve Parliament.

Rajapaksa can now appoint a caretaker government, dissolve Parliament next March and force new elections, or wait until next August when Parliament’s term ends.