Committing towards people development projects, India welcomes political resolve in Sri Lanka

New Delhi, December 17: With Mahinda Rajapaksa stepping down as Sri Lanka's prime minister and Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new one, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India welcome the resolution reached in Sri Lanka. Welcoming the end of uncertainty in Sri Lanka, Raveesh Kumar said that the move was a reflection of the resilience of Sri Lankan democracy and its institutions.

Briefing the media in a press conference by the Ministry of External Affairs, Ravessh Kumar said, "As a close neighbour and true friend, India welcomes the resolution of the political situation in Sri Lanka. This is a reflection of the maturity demonstrated by all political forces, and also of the resilience of Sri Lankan democracy and its institutions. India remains committed to taking forward its people oriented development projects in Sri Lanka. We are confident that India-Sri Lanka relations will continue to move on an upward trajectory.”

 

PM Wickremesinghe took his oath in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday. His reinstatement as prime minister is being seen as a possible end to the 51-day political uncertainty in Sri Lanka that was started by his sudden removal on October 26 by Sirisena.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, 69, is a leader of the United National Party (UNP). Ranil Wickremesinghe took over the post  of Prime Minister in Sri Lanka for the fifth time.

Sri Lanka was thrown into a constitutional crisis on October 26 when President Sirisena surprisingly sacked Wickremesinghe. Sirisena then replaced him with Rajapaksa. Wickremesinghe refused to step down saying his removal was illegal and that he has support of Parliament.