Dinesh Gunawardena takes oath as new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's economic crisis, the worst since it gained independence in 1948, has spiraled into a political crisis as well

Sri Lanka’s new President Ranil Wickremesinghe called in the military to maintain “public order” and troops began dismantling a key protest site near the presidential office early Friday, leading to tense scenes with demonstrators. 

The oceanfront Galle Face camp was swarmed by hundreds of soldiers and police officials who detained some protesters and tore down the makeshift tents. A nationwide emergency, that allows military and police sweeping powers to arrest and detain people, remains in place. 

Wickremesinghe appointed Dinesh Gunawardena, an ally of former premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, as prime minister. Wickremesinghe will be finance and defence minister, eroding hopes of an all-party