China's Xi offers Sri Lanka's new president support amid crisis

Xi said he is ready to provide support and assistance to the best of his ability to President Wickremesinghe and the people of Sri Lanka. - Bloomberg

BEIJING (Reuters): Chinese President Xi Jinping offered Sri Lanka's new president his support on Friday, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as the Indian Ocean island grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a lawyer who served as Sri Lanka's prime minister a record six times, was sworn in on Thursday in the face of fierce public opposition.