The new president inherits the same economic conditions and political distrust which drove his predecessor to flee the country and abdicate the role.
"I am not a friend of the Rajapaksas. I am a friend of the people," he told reporters after praying at a Buddhist temple in the commercial capital, Colombo.
Mr Wickremesinghe, who earlier served as prime minister and finance minister under Mr Rajapaksa, has been involved in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package worth up to $US3 billion .
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ranil Wickremesinghe elected as Sri Lanka’s new president
Read more »
Sri Lanka president vote: Ranil Wickremesinghe wins amid protestsMPs pick ex-PM seen as close to ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a move likely to frustrate protesters
Read more »
Ranil Wickremesinghe: wily fox who is Sri Lanka’s new presidentProfile: Six-time PM may be unacceptable to many of the same protesters who forced out predecessor
Read more »
'Our divisions are now over': Ranil Wickremesinghe wins parliamentary vote to be Sri Lanka's new presidentSri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be the country's next president until 2024, a parliament vote count showed on Wednesday.
Read more »
Sri Lanka president vote: Ranil Wickremesinghe wins amid protestsMPs pick ex-PM seen as close to ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a move likely to frustrate protesters
Read more »
Ranil Wickremesinghe: wily fox who is Sri Lanka’s new presidentProfile: Six-time PM may be unacceptable to many of the same protesters who forced out predecessor
Read more »