
BREAKING: Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed as new Sri Lankan PM
What: After PM Rajapakasa's resignation, veteran Sri Lankan leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed the next Prime Minister of the crisis-hit island nation.
Who: Mr Wickremesinghe has remained a four time Prime Minister of the country. The major opposition refused to join the government, therefore, only Ranil Wickremesinghe emerged as the option. Mr Wickremesinghe heads the United National Party. The breakaway SJB faction of the party currently forms the principal opposition party.
Context: With widespread shortages of food and fuel, soaring prices of essential commodities and hours-long power cut, there have been massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.