COLOMBO • Sri Lanka’s new prime minister was struggling yesterday to forge a unity government and forestall an imminent economic collapse after a senior opposition figure refused to helm the finance ministry.
Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in late on Thursday to navigate his country through the worst downturn in its history as an independent nation, with months of shortages and blackouts inflaming public anger.
The 73-year-old insists he has enough support to govern and has approached several potential allies to join his administration.
But frontline opposition lawmaker Harsha de Silva publicly rejected an overture to take charge of the nation’s finances and said he would instead push for the government’s resignation.
“People are not asking for political games and deals, they want a new system that will safeguard their future,” he said in a statement.
This story is from the May 14, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 14, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
VERSTAPPEN CHASES 9TH POLE IN A ROW
Dutchman aims to break Senna’s record, but knows it won't be easy with rivals closing in
Large planes can handle turbulence, but flights are set to get bumpier
Climate change will be a challenge for aviation, though commercial aircraft are generally equipped to handle it.
Spore, Kazakh firms urged to collaborate in tech, innovation
Other opportunities include biotech, urban development, renewable energy
S'pore expects key exports growth at lower end of 4%-6%
But support expected from recovery in electronics demand in second half of 2024
Nvidia delivers on Al hype, igniting 189b stock rally
Chipmaker’s bullish sales forecast cements its status as top beneficiary of Al spending
Nightclub says S. Korean DJ's shows here will not have religious elements
This comes after police reminder on rules amid calls by Buddhist federation to cancel the shows
1 worker dead, 2 in ICU after inhaling poisonous gas at PUB plant
MOM calls halt to tank cleaning work after incident at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks
Benjamin Kheng to perform NDP 2024 theme song, Not Alone
Parade marks 59 years of independence and Total Defence campaign’s 40th anniversary
Climate ruling by top court on oceans Is a game changer
Itlos’ opinion directs nations to cut gas emissions that endanger marine life and heat up planet
Economy the focus as Britain's election campaign kicks off
Conservative PM and Labour rival make their pitch as polls show voters want change
