Colombo: The SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn-in as Srilankan Prime Minister on Sunday at a Centuries old Buddhist Temple after his party won a landslide victory in Parliamentary elections that allowed the influential family to consolidate power for the next five years.

The 74 year old former President and Srilankan People’s Party Chief was administered the oath of office by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a gathering of Buddhist Monks, representatives of the diplomatic community and other senior officials. I am humbled by the opportunity given to me to serve my people again, said in a tweet. Soon after starting his fourth innings as Prime Minister, he said the trust bestowed on him by the people will inspire him to continue to serve the country. He owed that he would ensure that Srilanka would embark a progressive journey during his tenure.

The SLPP led by Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa,  registered a landslide victory in the August 5 general elections, securing 2/3^rd majority in Parliament needed to amend the constitution to further consolidate the powerful Rajapaksa’s family grip on power. India’s High Commission to Srilanka Gopal Baglay on Saturday becomes the first envoy to congratulate the new PM when he called on Mahinda Rajapaksa. Baglay recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had complemented the people and Government of Srilanka on the successful conduct of elections and had acknowledged the impressive electoral performance of the SLPP.

He reiterated the strong desire and the commitment of the Indian Government to work very closely with the new Government and Parliament in Srilanka for further strengthening comprehensive bilateral cooperation, the Indian High Commission said here.