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Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
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Several members of the Parliament including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and foreign envoys extended congratulatory wishes to newly appointed sixth Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, whilst few others expressed their displeasure.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa congratulated Wickremesinghe for taking up the challenging task to overcome the multiple crises.
“My best wishes to the newly appointed PM of #LKA, @RW_UNP, who stepped up to take on the challenging task of steering our country through a very turbulent time. I look forward to working together with him to make Sri Lanka strong again,” President Rajapaksa tweeted.
Minutes after Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was sworn in, former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in hiding extended his good wishes to his successor in a tweet.
“Congratulations to the newly appointed Prime Minister of #lka, @RW_UNP. I wish you all the best as you navigate these troubled times,” ex-Prime Minister Rajapaksa tweeted.
The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has expressed eagerness in working with newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The US Ambassador in a Twitter message said Wickremesinghe’s appointment as Prime Minister and the quick formation of an inclusive Government, are the first steps in addressing the crisis and promoting stability. Chung said the US encourages meaningful progress at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and long-term solutions that meet the needs of all Sri Lankans.
“Look forward to working w/ @RW_UNP. His appointment as PM, and the quick formation of an inclusive Government, are first steps to addressing the crisis & promoting stability. We encourage meaningful progress at the IMF & long-term solutions that meet the needs of all Sri Lankans,” she tweeted.
India also said it looks forward to the stability of Sri Lanka with the appointment of new Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. “High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes pursuant to the swearing in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister of #SriLanka. #India's commitment to the people of #SriLanka will continue,” the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted.
In addition, Parliamentarians extended their support and best wishes to the sixth Prime Minister. “Wishing Hon @RW_UNP the very best as he takes on the task of driving our #LKA forward. May the noble triple gem guide you & protect you,” MP Namal Rajapaksa, also in hiding, tweeted.
The Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) General Secretary and MP Jeevan Thondaman also congratulated the sixth Prime Minister Wickremasinghe. “I wish @RW_UNP the best on becoming the PM. However, there are many issues that need to be addressed without delay and I assure the fullest cooperation of the Ceylon Workers' Congress in your effort to overcome those issues and stabilise our nation,” he tweeted.
Former Minister and MP Keheliya Rambukwella also extended best wishes to the new Premier. “My congratulations to @RW_UNP on being appointed #lka PM. I wish you and the new Cabinet all the best in the coming days,” he added.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and MP Mano Ganesan expressed his congratulations to the new Premier. “Tamil Progressive Alliance (#TPA) sends, heartiest congratulations to former & current Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe. @RW_UNP. Long Live #SriLanka..!,” he tweeted.
Tamil National Alliance MP M.A. Sumanthiran PC also opposed the appointment of Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.
“The President has completely lost legitimacy, people want him to go home, and the Parliament will soon vote on a motion... Mr. Wickremesinghe had no legitimacy in the current Parliament right from the beginning. He did not even win in his constituency,” he tweeted.
