Ranil Wickremesinghe, a veteran politician, was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president on Thursday, a day after winning a vote in parliament and urged the island nation to unite to find a way out of its worst economic crisis in decades.

The six-time prime minister followed Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who departed Sri Lanka and resigned last week after widespread criticism of his handling of the economy. The event was held in parliament and presided over by the country’s chief judge.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a senior politician, was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president on Thursday, a day after winning a vote in parliament, and encouraged the island nation to band together to overcome its worst economic crisis in decades.

The six-time prime minister succeeded Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who left Sri Lanka and resigned last week after widespread criticism of his economic management. The ceremony was held in parliament and presided over by the highest justice of the country.