Lanka prez says ready to review executive powers

After weeks of defiance Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he's open to changes in the nation's constitution to appease protesters calling for his ouster, likely setting the stage for curbing the executive's sweeping powers as the nation's deepening economic crisis has boiled over into political turmoil.

“To take the economy on a right direction, to meet the expectations of the younger generation is the duty of the government,” the president said at a ceremony swearing in new cabinet members on Monday, adding that while "respecting the supreme constitution” he was ready "if necessary to make changes in the future, and save the country from the economic crisis."

Rajapaksa's latest comments mark a softening in his defiant stand. Last week, he had called for "unity and better understanding" from citizens while greeting them for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.