Sri Lanka's new prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (center) visits a Buddhist temple after his swearing in  ceremony in Colombo on May 12, 2022. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)

COLOMBO - Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe as the prime minister on Thursday.

Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the prime minister by Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo Thursday evening.

Wickremesinghe had served as the prime minister.

Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as the prime minister on Monday, following violent incidents reported between pro-government groups and anti-government protesters.

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