Ranil Wickremesinghe, newly sworn in as Sri Lanka’s president, appointed a fresh prime minister this Friday and moved forward with a reshaped cabinet. After a rapid political shift, protesters who had gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat were urged to clear out as authorities stepped in with crowd management measures.
Dinesh Gunawardena, a veteran politician, was named prime minister alongside other members of the Wickremesinghe administration. Gunawardena has long been active in politics, first entering Parliament in the early 1980s, and he has held multiple ministerial roles across different governments. The public swearing in of the new prime minister signifies a continuation of the new leadership’s authority after Wickremesinghe’s ascent to the presidency this week, according to Ada Derana and other Sri Lankan outlets.
The interim Wickremesinghe government includes 18 ministers, with the foreign affairs portfolio temporarily assigned to former Finance Minister Ali Sabry; seventeen ministers remain in office as the cabinet stabilizes under the new leadership, as reported by local news sources.
The SLPP, linked to the Rajapaksa political formation, has a long history in national politics, and Gunawardena’s entry into government dates back to the early years of his career. This move comes as the country seeks to settle its political footing while preparing to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund for financial support, a topic repeatedly raised by observers and civic groups in Sri Lanka.
The appointment of the new prime minister ends the power vacuum created after Wickremesinghe’s interim presidency, following the resignation and departure of the former head of state, Rajapaksa, last week, according to multiple reports.
The president now leads a legislature expected to push forward on a path aligned with prior leadership while pursuing IMF negotiations to secure a rescue line for Sri Lanka’s economy, a situation discussed by analysts and regional commentators.
forced eviction
On the same day, orders were issued for a forceful evacuation of the protesters who had occupied the area around the Presidential Secretariat for more than three months, marking a pivotal moment for Colombo’s political climate. Local authorities said hundreds of police officers moved to clear dozens of protesters from the presidential complex, despite pledges to vacate in a specific timeframe, and efforts targeted the prominent protest camp known as Gama Village, as reported by observers on the ground.
Shortly after Wickremesinghe’s swearing – the country’s highest authority received a parliamentary majority – he directed security forces to be ready to maintain public order. Witnesses and protesters described road blockades around Gama Village as security forces concentrated their presence, with clashes reported as the evacuation commenced.
What unfolded early Friday morning put major demonstrations in Colombo on hold for the moment. While many encampments showed signs of breaking apart in recent days, several groups signaled readiness to reassemble if calls for Wickremesinghe’s resignation resurfaced, according to on-site accounts and subsequent media coverage.
international condemnation
The incident drew concern from international circles and several Sri Lankan organizations about the use of force against protesters at Galle Face. Statements from diplomats and UN officials emphasized the need to protect peaceful assembly and access to medical care for the injured, highlighting the broader worries about human rights and public safety in the aftermath of the protests. Standpoints from the U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka and UN coordinators in Colombo stressed the importance of safeguarding journalists and rights defenders who monitor demonstrations, and urged authorities to ensure their safety and independence in reporting on events, according to public remarks and social media posts from those officials.
Officials from the Sri Lanka Lawyers Association condemned violence against demonstrators and noted that some lawyers were attacked while carrying out their professional duties. Alongside this, Sri Lanka continues to face a severe strain on medicines, food, and fuel supplies, a consequence of long-standing debt and the economic disruption triggered by the Easter attacks and the pandemic on tourism. The government must navigate renewed negotiations with the IMF for emergency support as the island faces ongoing economic pressure, according to recent analyses and statements from local groups.
The country’s economic strain has sparked island-wide protests since late March, culminating in the dramatic events of early July when protesters called for Rajapaksa’s resignation and, at times, breached the homes and offices of political leaders. The incidents underscored a challenging transition period for Sri Lanka as it seeks stability, international support, and a viable path to economic recovery, with the government aiming to restore public confidence and resume essential reforms.