Tag: Gotabaya Rajapaksa

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Gotabaya returns to Sri Lanka

Ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the county following mass agitations calling for his resignation on July 9.

Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returned home in the early hours of Saturday after fleeing the country in July, according to a senior security official.

As per UK-based media, the onetime leader fled the country as the economic crisis fuelled angry protests. Rajapaksa resigned after protesters angered by a debilitating economic crisis stormed his office and residence.

The former president fled the county following mass agitations calling for his resignation on July 9.

Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka in the early hours of July 13 after massive protests erupted in Colombo and demonstrators angry with the country’s economic crisis stormed his official residence and office.

He resigned as president after reaching Singapore, where he was issued a 14-day visit pass.

He had fled to Singapore via the Maldives and then spent the past few weeks in Thailand. He returns almost after two months after fleeing to Thailand.

On August 11, the former President reached Thailand following a request from the Sri Lankan government. Tight security has been provided to his Mirihana residence. However, Thailand has denied reports that the former Sri Lankan President has sought asylum in the country.

The Thailand Foreign Ministry said it received a request from Rajapaksa to visit the country with no intention of seeking political asylum.

According to Jamila Husain, Deputy Editor at Daily Mirror, Rajapaksa arrived in Sri Lanka from a Singapore Airlines flight.

“…. and the man returns …… Former Pres Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in #SriLanka a short while ago on board a Singapore Airlines flight. Several ministers are awaiting to welcome him at the BIA. Media is not allowed. He will be provided with all facilities granted to a former President,” tweeted Husain.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made arrangements for his return upon a request by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) as a result of which the president is reported to have contacted Rajapaksa to discuss arrangements for his return to the country, Daily Mirror reported citing a source close to him.

Earlier, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, who is also related to Gotabaya, hinted that Rajapaksa will return to the country on August 24.

Thailand was the second Southeast Asian country after the Maldives that Rajapaksa was seeking temporary shelter in after fleeing his island nation last month amid mass protests. Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced the official resignation of Rajapaksa on July 15. After the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as President of Sri Lanka on July 21 in Parliament.

He was earlier appointed as interim president of Sri Lanka as Rajapaksa fled abroad after his palace was stormed by angry protesters amid the unprecedented economic crisis.

Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, which comes on the heels of successive waves of COVID-19, threatening to undo years of development progress and severely undermining the country’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (ANI)

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Asia News Sri Lanka

Lankan PM summons emergency meeting

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier also has requested the Speaker to summon Parliament in an effort to find a solution to the crisis, reports Susitha Fernando

As thousands of protesters stormed Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence in Colombo on Saturday demanding his government’s resignation amid the ongoing economic crisis, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremmesinghe has summoned an emergency meeting with political party leaders to discuss the situation.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier also has requested the Speaker to summon Parliament in an effort to find a solution to the crisis.

Meanwhile, 16 MPs of President Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party in a letter requested him to resign immediately and make way for a leader who could command the majority in Parliament to lead the country.

They stated that Rajapaksa should give an opportunity to a mature leader without corruption allegations to take over the country.

However, he has not announced anything and his whereabouts are not known.

Social media reports have indicated that a group in 20 VVIP vehicles were heading for the airport, while another group left in two ships belonging to to Sri Lanka Navy.

However who left in them remains unclear.

Religious leaders have also urged the President and Prime Minister to resign immediately and allow the swift passage of power.

Lawyers have emphasized that President Rajapaksas himself has to decide what course of action he should take amidst the mounting public protests against him.

Representing the country’s legal fraternity and sitting judges, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said it calls upon the “President to consider whether he could continue to fulfil his obligations and the powers and duties as the President of Sri Lanka any longer”.

They also urged the Prime Minster, Speaker, Cabinet and MPs to immediately ensure that political stability of the nation was secured forthwith and there should be no delay in ensuring such transition.

“We call upon the police and the armed forces to ensure that no further harm is caused to the people who are engaged in the protest,” the BASL said.

The lawyers also urged public to protect public property, specially the President’s House and Secretariat and also ensure that no ham is caused to any person.

Violent clashes broke out on Saturday as the protesters stormed the President’s residence in Colombo, with police using tear gas shells to disperse the.

More than 40 protesters have been hospitalised, with three critically injured.

Anti-government protesters also surrounded another residence of the President in Kandy, as well as the ancestral house of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in the southern city of Tangalle.

With the mounting crisis and tension in the country, schools which have been closed until July 18.

In the wake of the island nation’s worst economic crisis since it gained independence in 1948, people have been protesting against President Rajapaksa and his government, asking him to step down.

Shocking visuals float on social media as Lankans mark their protest against Gotabaya Rajapaksa (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his brother former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and several other family members who were in the cabinet and Parliament have already resigned.

With no fuel country’s transportation have been stopped completely for two weeks and Indian ocean island is virtually under lockdown.

The island nation of 22 million people has witnessed its foreign exchange reserves shrink due to economic mismanagement and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a result it has struggled to pay for imports of essential goods, including fuel, food and medicine.

In May, it defaulted on its debts for the first time in its history after a 30-day grace period to come up with $78 million of unpaid debt interest payments expired.

ALSO READ: Protesters storm Sri Lankan President’s house

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-Top News Sri Lanka

Protesters storm Sri Lankan President’s house

At least 20 people have been hospitalised following violent clashes between the police and the protesters, reports Asian Lite News

Demanding the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, anti-government Sri Lankan protesters on Saturday stormed the President’s House in Colombo braving several police and military barricades and tear gas shells.

Security forces fired teargas and water cannons to disperse the protesters but later withdrew and resorted to firing in the air.

At least 20 people have been hospitalised following violent clashes between the police and the protesters.

Since early Saturday night, there were attempts to disperse the protesters and university students who had occupied the area near the President’s House overnight.

The President’s whereabouts are currently unknown but it is suspected that he is at the heavily-guarded Army headquarters in Battaramulla.

A major people’s protest march to Colombo from around the island for Saturday has been planned by religious leaders, political parties, medical practitioners, university teachers, civil rights activists, farmers, and fishermen on Saturday demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

On Friday night, authorities enforced an indefinite curfew in entrance areas to Colombo and the Defence Ministry had warned police and military have been empowered to act against those engaging in any form of violence.

Lawyers challenged the declaration of curfew as illegal and announced that people could ignore it.

Since early Saturday, people from all the over the country starting pouring into Colombo in trains and buses, chanting slogans eGota go home’ and eGota a mad man’.

In the wake of the island nation’s worst economic crisis since it gained independence in 1948, people have been protesting since March 31 against President Rajapaksa and his government, asking him to step down.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

In the wake of the violent protests, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his brother former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and several other family members who were in the cabinet and parliament resigned.

With no fuel country’s transportation have been stopped completely for two weeks and Indian ocean island is virtually under lockdown.

The island nation of 22 million people has witnessed its foreign exchange reserves shrink due to economic mismanagement and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a result it has struggled to pay for imports of essential goods, including fuel, food and medicine.

In May, it defaulted on its debts for the first time in its history after a 30-day grace period to come up with $78 million of unpaid debt interest payments expired.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka hikes key rates to fight inflation

Categories
-Top News Asia News Sri Lanka

‘Tyranny, nepotism’: Galle Face protesters slam Rajapaksa rule

(ANI)

Furious protesters have been demanding change in the political system and held Rajapaksas responsible for the present state of the economy as well as demanding that “the president and Prime Minister should be imprisoned and their assets should be frozen”, reports Asian Lite News

A massive crowd continues to remain gathered at Galle Face, the main beachfront in the capital Colombo, outside Sri Lankan President’s secretariat to protest against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the economic crisis in the country with agitators at the protest site terming the government tyrant and full of nepotism.

One of the protestors at the site said, “For years and years the Rajapaksa government took money from us. They stole from us. We are sick and tired of this tyranny because there is so much nepotism here. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are brothers and we want them to go from here because we do not see any prosperity for our nation. As long as they are here they will not be able to fix the economy.”

“People of many ethnicities and races have come here to protest against tyrant Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These people do not know how to run a country as they do not have any plans. All they want is to steal. There are so many who are campaigning for Rajapaksa to go to jail and we want him to go to jail. All the civil unrest is his fault. We want to oust him and hopefully change our political system,” he added.

One 14-year-old child at the protest site criticised the current government for ruining the nation. “There are a lot of children here who go to school. We have a lot of fantasies and dreams to accomplish when we grow up and we cannot achieve anything in our country.. on our motherland due to Rajapaksa because he has ruined our country and we want to speak up for that. We want a future in our country,” he hoped.

Furious protesters have been demanding change in the political system and held Rajapaksas responsible for the present state of the economy as well as demanding that “the president and Prime Minister should be imprisoned and their assets should be frozen.”

People at the site of the protest were carrying placards with anti-government slogans written on them. Children were carrying placards with the slogans ‘we need a good future’. Others displayed ‘Freeze all Rajapaksa money’ banners to show their anger.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

A massive protest has been continuing in the Galle Face Green area in the capital city of Colombo as the Island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices, and power cuts.

This comes at a time when Sri Lanka is celebrating its New Year. The Sri Lankans are protesting against the government’s handling of the economic situation and demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Protesters have been accusing Rajapaksa’s government of corruption and misrule. (ANI)

ALSO READ: World Bank dubious about Lankan economic outlook

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-Top News China Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka asks China to ease debt burden

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Image Twitter@GotabayaR)

President Rajapaksa met China’s Foreign Minister and State Councilor Yi who was visiting Sri Lanka marking the 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reports Susitha Fernando

Amidst the ongoing financial and forex crisis, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for possible restructure of the debt repayment.

“It would be a great relief if it could be focused on restructuring the debt repayments as a solution to the economic crisis that has arisen due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” President Rajapaksa said.

President Rajapaksa met China’s Foreign Minister and State Councilor Yi who was visiting Sri Lanka marking the 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Sri Lanka is the final destination of Chinese Minister who visited five countries in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from Africa to Asia Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros in Africa and the Maldives in Asia.

In the back drop of financial crisis faced by the Indian Ocean island nation, President Rajajapaksa also said, “if a concessional trade credit scheme could be obtained for imports from China, it would enable industries to run smoothly”.

During the meeting, President Rajapaksa also has requested Minister Yi to assist in attracting Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka by allowing visit using the bio-bubble program, President’s Office said in a statement.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Image Twitter@GotabayaR)

During the meeting Sri Lankan leader thanked the “Chinese government for the material and financial assistance given to battle the Covid-19 pandemic and for its continued support in providing Sri Lanka with Sinopharm vaccines for the successful implementation of the vaccination program”, President’s Office stated.

In response, Chinese Foreign Minister has stated that “China would always support the island nation as a close friend”.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who met Wang Yi at the Temple Trees has thanked Chinese government for its financial support in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic.

“As you know, similar to many other countries, Sri Lanka’s economy was also greatly impacted by the pandemic. We appreciate China’s assistance towards our economic revival and financial stability,” said Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“There is still a long way to go in establishing normalcy, but we’re confident that with support from friendly countries like China, we will be able to overcome these challenges soon. I look forward to continue working closely with you and the Government of China in addressing common challenges,” PM Rajapaksa said.

A supporter of Gotabaya Rajapaksa cheers along the street in Colombo Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Yi has assured to assist Sri Lanka and has said “China will continue to do its best to provide all the necessary help and support [to Sri Lanka],” Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit comes amidst strained relationship due to shipment of 20,000 metric tonnes of organic fertilizer from China which was rejected by Sri Lanka after it was found to be infected with harmful bacteria.

In last September, the Hippo Spirit ship carrying organic fertilizer left for Colombo from China’s Qingdao Port. Initially Sri Lankan court ordered state-run People’s Bank not to pay for the shipment and in response Chinese embassy blacklisted the bank. However, bowing to the pressure of Beijing on Saturday (January 8) the bank paid the fertilizer company Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group $6.87 million while settling legal dispute.

READ MORE: SRI LANKA 2022: Financial Crisis Deepens

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-Top News India News

Jaishankar meets Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Abu Dhabi

Rajapaksa cautioned that if existing vaccines fail to protect against the new Omicron form, the globe might quickly return to square one, with border closures and other restrictions, including lockdown, imposed once more, with possibly devastating results…reports Asian Lite News.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the sidelines of 5th Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi.

“Good to meet President @GotabayaR at the 5th Indian Ocean Conference. His address was a prominent feature of the inaugural session,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

At the conference, President Rajapaksa spoke about the threat posed by the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, and urged governments with the resources to support the immunisation drive of less fortunate countries more effectively.

“We greatly appreciate the generosity of India, China, US and Japan, all of whom donated vaccines to us either directly or through COVAX which augmented the larger quantity Sri Lanka purchased from manufacturers on commercial terms,” he was quoted in Sri Lankan media.

“It is a matter of concern that the relatively slow rollout of the vaccines in some parts of the world has resulted in the emergence of a potentially devastating new variant of the virus that needs to be carefully monitored,” he added as per reports.

Rajapaksa cautioned that if existing vaccines fail to protect against the new Omicron form, the globe might quickly return to square one, with border closures and other restrictions, including lockdown, imposed once more, with possibly devastating results.

Noting that the impact of Covid-19 is one of the two developments heightening uncertainties that the Indian Ocean countries contemplate, Jaishankar said that the pandemic has not just been a once-in-century shock to the international system but has thoroughly exposed all its fault-lines and shortcomings.

“In economic terms, the dangers of over-centralized globalization are starkly apparent. The answer lies in both more reliable and resilient supply-chains as well as in greater trust and transparency,” he observed.

“In political terms, the absence of vaccine equity and the reluctance to cooperatively address a challenge of such magnitude spoke for itself. International organizations failed the world, whether in terms of establishing the origins of the problem or in leading the response to it,” Jaishankar added.

Mentioning that India has done its fair share in helping countries during the pandemic, he said, it has been expressed in the supply of medicines, vaccines, and oxygen, or in a willingness to take care of the expatriate population in times of difficulty.

“As we move from a ‘just in time’ globalization to a ‘just in case’ one, the Indian Ocean will witness shorter and multiple supply chains and a broader definition of what constitutes national security. These could well shape the nature of the recovery process,” the External Affairs Minister argued.

“We also need to expeditiously normalise travel through certification recognition so that livelihoods are restored ASAP. India has worked out solutions with about a 100 nations in that regard,” he said.

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