Ranil to head finance ministry

Colombo, May 25: Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was given additional responsibility on Wednesday as the finance minister to steer the debtridden country out of the woods and secure international confidence in his government's ability to address the worst economic crisis since independence. Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies by embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is facing popular anger for the unprecedented economic crisis.

The five-time prime minister was re-appointed to the job on May 12 following the political circus precipitated by the unprecedented economic

crisis in the island’s history. He replaced Mahinda Rajapaksa who resigned to make way for his brother’s plan to appoint an allparty interim government to handle the economic crisis. The PM’s office said during the two weeks he

had been at the helm reestablishing the nation’s foreign relations, taken steps for constitutional reform with the draft of the 21 amendments to the constitution, ensured fuel supplies and has been making preparations for an interim budget.

Last week, the PM warned that the next couple of months will be the most difficult ones in the lives of all citizens and the country must prepare to make some sacrifices and face the challenges of this period. Every time the international community supported Wickreme singhe and he improved the economy, the Opposition toppled his government and derailed economic policy gains. So, this time, the international community is not ready for such a derailment, EconomyNext website quoted a political analyst who was close to the last government as saying. They want a policy commitment that's sustainable over a long period of time whether the PM is there or not. —