Sirisena vows never to reappoint Ranil as PM

COLOMBO, Nov 25 (Agencies): President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday reignited the political crisis that has crippled Sri Lanka's government for more than a month, vowing never to reappoint arch-rival Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister.

Wickremesinghe's party has a majority in parliament and Sirisena's bid to bring back the country's former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse has already failed.

But Sirisena choked back tears in a meeting with foreign correspondents as he accused Wickremesinghe, who he sacked on October 26, of being "highly corrupt".

"Even if the UNP has the majority I told them not to bring Ranil Wickremesinghe before me, I will not make him prime minister," he said, referring to Wickremesinghe's United National Party.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's president has assured non-interference in ongoing investigations on abductions, killings of journalists and other crimes allegedly committed by those connected to his new prime minister and cabinet.

President Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday that the courts and police would continue to function independently despite Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa joining his government.