Premadasa Ally Elected as Sri Lanka President
Associated Press
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Parliament elected a top ally of slain President Ranasinghe Premadasa to succeed him Friday, and the new leader promised to continue opening the economy, helping the poor and negotiating with separatist rebels.
Prime Minister Dingiri Wijetunge, who held the country’s No. 2 position, moved up to president when no opponents were nominated.
Moments after he was sworn in, Wijetunge appointed Ranil Wickremasinghe, 44, another Premadasa loyalist, as prime minister.
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