Sri Lanka's new president sworn in

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in today, the presidency announced.

Wickremesinghe (73) was prime minister until President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, and a week ago he was appointed interim president.

Wickremesinghe was elected yesterday as the eighth head of state, with the support of members of parliament from former President Rajapaksa's party.

The swearing-in took place in the heavily guarded parliament building.

The president should appoint a new prime minister who will also have to be approved by the parliament.

Sri Lanka has run out of money to pay for imports of basic goods such as food, fertiliser, medicine and fuel, putting its 22 million people in a difficult position.

Months of protests in the country came to a head last weekend when protesters stormed the presidential palace and the prime minister's residence.