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Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oath as Sri Lanka Prime Minister

Sunday, 9 August 2020 09:35

Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP

Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sworn in as the country's new prime minister on Sunday.

His party had secured a landslide victory in the General Election, securing a two-thirds majority in the 225-member Parliament.

The Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) leader was administered the oath of office at a historic Buddhist temple by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The 74-year-old began his political career at the age of 24, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament. He has since been elected President twice and has been appointed Prime Minister three times.

The Cabinet of Ministers will be sworn-in on Monday, followed by the swearing-in of the state and deputy ministers.

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