Knew Sri Lanka would uphold democratic credentials: Maldives' Nasheed welcomes Wickremesinghe's return

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Sunday took to Twitter and congratulated Sri Lanka's Ranil Wickremesinghe for assuming office as the Prime Minister. 

Nasheed said that it was known that Sri Lanka "would uphold her democratic credentials."

"Congratulations PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. We always knew Sri Lanka would uphold her democratic credentials, and show emerging democracies how the rule of law prevails. The country’s military, by remaining in the baracks, has shown intergrity," the tweet read. 

Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka's prime minister on Sunday, making a remarkable comeback weeks after being ousted by President Maithripala Sirisena under controversial circumstances.

Wickremesinghe's reinstatement is expected to end a political crisis that began in late October when he was surprisingly sacked.

Sirisena had replaced Wickremesinghe with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa following differences over policy matters and other issues. However, Rajapaksa failed to win a parliamentary majority and resigned on December 15 as a government shutdown loomed.

Wickremesinghe told his supporters at his official residence that he would ensure a "better economic situation, better standard of living" for Sri Lankans after first working to "normalize the country," news agency Reuters reported. 

Wickremesinghe was appointed for the post for the fifth time. He has never completed a full term as prime minister.

(With inputs from Reuters)