Ranil defiantly pledges to stay on as Sri Lankan prime minister

Despite mounting pressure since suffering a heavy local election defeat last week, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister remained defiant, insisting he will stay on to complete his term.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would continue as prime minister as per Sri Lanka’s constitution.

However, he added that the United National Party which he heads, will be restructured in light of their election defeat.

Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition government has been in crisis since last week’s polls with a series of meetings between the governing parties. Several prominent members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party have stated they will not support keeping Mr Wickremesinghe on as prime minister and have called for his resignation.

 

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