Colombo

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Thursday sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka amid the worst economic crisis faced by the country that has sparked violent anti-government protests.

Wickremesinghe, who has served as Prime Minister five times, was administered the oath of office by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe accepted the post of Prime Minister after securing the support of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs, the Daily Mirror reported.

Earlier Thursday, Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said that his party will "devise a strategy" if Wickramasinghe is made the prime minister.

Pemadasa spoke about the letter he wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in which he expressed willingness to assume the post of prime minister if demands put forward by his party are met.

"I will not speak on the speculation but if it will happen, we will launch our strategy soon. We are the largest opposition party in the country and we know the political system in the country," he said answering a question related to Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the citizens, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.

On Monday, groups of pro-government supporters and anti-government protesters clashed in Colombo amid the state of emergency and a nationwide strike demanding the resignation of the president. Later that day, Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down AS Prime Minister in a bid to mitigate the ongoing crisis.