Maithripala Sirisena installed Sri Lanka's controversial former strongman leader Mahinda Rajapakse as the country's new prime minister Friday, in a shock move that plunged the island into an unprecedented constitutional crisis.
Sirisena's office announced the surprise decision after the president sacked incumbent premier Ranil Wickre-mesinghe - who insisted that he was still the legitimate prime minister and would fight his dismissal in court. "I am addressing you as the prime minister of Sri Lanka," Wickremesinghe told reporters at a nationally televised press conference. "I remain as prime minister and I will function as the prime minister." There was no immediate comment from Rajapakse, who worshipped at a Buddhist temple shortly after he was sworn in by Sirisena at his office in a ceremony broadcast by a private TV channel loyal to the ex-president.
Rajapakse ally and opposition legislator Wimal Weerawansa asked Wickremesinghe to step down and allow a smooth transition of power. Buit Wickremesinghe said he was urging the parliament's speaker Karu Jayasuriya to convene the legislature, where his United National Party and its allies command a majority.
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