Sri Lanka PM takes over law and order after vote defeat

COLOMBO, Feb 25 (AFP): Sri Lanka's prime minister took over the key law and order ministry Sunday as part of a cabinet reshuffle, after a local election defeat sparked calls for his resignation.

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in to the ministerial post Sunday, a week after the minister in charge of the police, Sagala Ratnayaka, resigned amid accusations he had failed to prosecute members of the former regime.

Several other ministerial changes were also made Sunday while another reshuffle will be carried out within two weeks, President Maithripala Sirisena said after the swearing-in ceremony.

"These changes as well as those soon to be made on the UPFA side of the government will strengthen us to better serve our people," Sirisena said referring to his United people's Freedom Alliance, the junior partner in government.