President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his congratulations to Andy Burnham on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, while expressing Sri Lanka’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a post on X (formally Twitter) issued following his appointment, President Dissanayake noted that the UK and Sri Lanka share common democratic values and maintain a deep, multifaceted partnership built over many years.

The President also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between the two nations in addressing shared challenges and expressed confidence in working together for the mutual benefit of both countries and their people.

Andy Burnham yesterday (20) became Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade, pledging to reshape its politics to deliver a new economic model and revive a nation "fed up" with a revolving door of leaders.

In front of dozens of supporters outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said British politicians had failed to bring the stability needed to raise living standards, something he said he would change, with both immediate measures and a longer-term plan to be drawn up later this year.

Speaking without notes, Burnham delivered a domestic-focused speech aimed at offering hope to a nation that has, like many European countries, struggled for years with soaring prices and anaemic economic growth. He did not touch on foreign affairs.

Burnham pledged ⁠to use his premiership as a "circuit-breaker for Britain", arguing that a new model was needed to rebuild the country, which has been in political turmoil since voting in 2016 to leave the European Union.

Dubbed 'King of the North' for his dogged defence of the Manchester region's interests, Burnham received messages of congratulation from foreign leaders, including European leaders who called for closer ties.

His first phone call was with US President Donald Trump, when Burnham suggested a visit to Manchester.

"The ⁠prime minister also underlined his commitment to defence and security," a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement, adding that Burnham had outlined Britain's commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Yet initially, Burnham's focus is very much on domestic issues.

Labour lawmakers see Burnham as one of the few figures capable of tackling the threat from veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK - something they doubted the unpopular Starmer could do.

"Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again," he said. “The moment we bring back hope.”