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Tag: Lanka

  • Ranil Wickremesinghe returns as Lankan PM

    Ranil Wickremesinghe returns as Lankan PM

    The oath will be taken before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at 6 p.m. local time….reports Asian Lite News

    To end the current political deadlock, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will take oath as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on Thursday.

    The oath will be taken before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at 6 p.m. local time.

    Vacated after the controversial resignation of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the elder brother of President Gotabaya, Wickremesinghe is to take up the premiership for the record sixth time in the island nation.

    Mahinda resigned from his post following violent clashes that erupted when his
    supporters attacked a month-long protest carried out by non-political people. The protesters have been demanding the resignation of the Rajapaksa government and the President amidst a severe financial crisis involving shortages of essentials, including food, fuel, medicine, cooking gas and hours of power outages.

    On Wednesday night, while addressing the nation President Gotabaya announced that a new PM and a government would be replaced for the positions vacated by his brother Mahinda and his government.

    Gotabaya also said that he would work on reintroducing the 19th Amendment stripping powers of the Executive President which he himself enjoys and giving much powers to Parliament.

    He also agreed to abolish the Presidential system. Rajapaksa said the new government would be run by a Prime Minister who can command the majority in Parliament.

    However, it is not yet clear as to how Wickremesinghe, the leader of United National Party (UNP) country’s oldest political party, now limited to just one seat out of 225 MPs could command the majority. The news on the appointment of Wickremesinghe comes a day after his discussion with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

    ALSO READ: Lanka bans ex-PM Rajapaksa from leaving country

  • Lanka bans ex-PM Rajapaksa from leaving country

    Lanka bans ex-PM Rajapaksa from leaving country

    Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son and others, who were present at the meeting, need to be present in Sri Lanka for the ongoing investigations on the attacks as they were suspected to have conspired and planned the attacks…reports Asian Lite News

    A Sri Lankan court on Thursday banned former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and 15 others, including his son, MPs and senior police officers from leaving the country, for instigating Monday’s violence that killed nine people and injured over 300.

    Colombo’s Magistrate court issued the travel ban on Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son MP Namal, and 14 others who participated in Monday’s meeting with his supporters who later carried out violent attacks on peaceful protesters in front of his house and his President’s office.

    The Attorney General Sanjaya Rajarantam, who has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the violent attacks on peaceful protesters, had informed the courts to impose a ban on the former PM and others.

    Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son and others, who were present at the meeting, need to be present in Sri Lanka for the ongoing investigations on the attacks as they were suspected to have conspired and planned the attacks.

    The pro-Rajapaksa supporters, who protested against Rajapaska leaving his post were later armed with clubs, poles and iron bars, had attacked the protesters.

    The protesters had been camping for more than a month demanding the Rajapaksas to leave amid a severe economic crisis.

    Among others against whom the travel ban has been imposed were former ministers — Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Kanchana Jayaratne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Sanath Nishantha, other MPs and senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon.

    ALSO READ: Rajapakse to remain in naval base until normalcy returns

  • Rajapakse to remain in naval base until normalcy returns

    Rajapakse to remain in naval base until normalcy returns

    The Defence Secretary said that the military will provide security to Rajapaksa as long as it takes because as a former Prime Minister he is entitled to security for life….reports Asian Lite News

    Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family will remain at the Trincomalee naval base until normalcy returns to the island nation following widespread violence that caused him to flee Colombo, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne announced on Wednesday.

    Addressing the media, Gunaratne said that Rajapaksa will be moved to a location he wishes, once the situation in the country returns to normalcy, reports Xinhua news agency.

    The Defence Secretary said that the military will provide security to Rajapaksa as long as it takes because as a former Prime Minister he is entitled to security for life.

    Rajapaksa, his wife Shiranthi, and their youngest son Rohitha and his family, left the Prime Minister’s official residence, Temple Trees, early Tuesday morning on board an Air Force helicopter.

    Violence erupted in the country after he resigned on Monday.

    A number of violent incidents have taken place in the country after pro-government groups clashed with anti-government protesters on Monday, leaving eight people, including an MP, dead and over 200 others injured.

    A nationwide curfew has been extended until Thursday morning.

    The island nation, hit by the most severe economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, is currently without a government.

    With a severe financial crisis due to dollar crunch and inflation, protests that started on March 31 have been continuing throughout the country demanding the Rajapaksas to resign.

    In the wake of the protests, the cabinet resigned but Mahinda Rajapaksa formed a new cabinet under his leadership.

    With the lack of fuel and gas and hours-long power cuts, people took to the streets and demanded that the immediate resignation of the government.

    Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has has urged the opposition to form an all-party government, but the latter has refused to do so until he steps down.

    The state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on Wednesday announced that fuel distribution has been temporarily suspended due to the current security situation.

    ALSO READ: Lankan President to appoint new PM, cabinet

  • Lankan President to appoint new PM, cabinet

    Lankan President to appoint new PM, cabinet

    Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured that as demanded by various sections of the society, he would make ways to abolish the Presidential system…reports SUSITHA FERNANDO

    To end the ongoing political crisis, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday announced that a new government with a new Prime Minister, who can command the majority in the Parliament, would be appointed this week.

    Addressing the nation, President Rajapaksa also agreed to bring constitutional changes in line with the 19th Amendment, which was introduced by the last government and seeks that the Parliament be given more powers while curtailing executive (presidential) powers.

    He also assured that as demanded by various sections of the society, he would make ways to abolish the Presidential system.

    Meanwhile, former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has met the President on Wednesday and there was speculation that he was to be appointed as the new PM.

    In his speech, President Rajapaksa strongly condemned Monday’s violence, which nine people, including an MP, dead, 300 injured and over 100 houses and offices of politicians torched. He assured that severe punishment would be imposed on those responsible for the violence and he is working with the other parties to ensure security of all people and political stability.

    As it goes through its worst-ever economic crisis, Sri Lanka on Monday saw violent attacks carried out by pro-government goons on peaceful protestors who had been demanding the President and PM Mahinda Rajapksa to resign.

    Subsequently, nearly 2,000 supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa who gathered at his official resident, Temple Trees, insisted that he not to step down and later armed with poles and iron bars, marched towards two protest sites near his residence and attacked the protestors.

    Condemning the attacks, people around the country took onto the streets and counter- attacked the pro-government group and later, the buses, and other vehicles they used to come to Colombo were damaged and burnt.

    Arson attacks were carried out on more than 100 buildings including the houses of Mahinda Rajapaksa and his younger brother and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and elder brother and former minister Chamal Rajapaksa, other ruling party ministers, MPs and local politicians.

    In wake of the violence, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned and later took refuge at a naval base on the Eastern coast.

    Amidst the public anger, the ruling party politicians have gone into hiding and the Speaker on Wednesday urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure security of MPs.

    Following Monday’s violence, an island-wide curfew was imposed till Thursday morning and it as later announced the curfew would resume from 2 p.m. on the same day.

    On Tuesday, the military was called in and orders were given to shoot all those looting and carrying out arson attacks. On Wednesday, armoured vehicles were seen all around Colombo with a heavy military presence and political parties had complained that the government was planning a military dictatorship.

    The US expressed concern over the deployment of the military and urged the

    government to work quickly to ensure public safety and implement solutions to achieve long-term economic and political stability in the country.

    Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Colombo strongly denied certain media reports that some politicians with their families have fled to India for safety.

    India also denied speculative media reports that it was to send troops to Sri Lanka and a spokesperson of its Ministry of External Affairs had stated that India was fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability, and economic recovery.

    ALSO READ: Fleeing Lanka ex-PM, family take refuge at naval base

  • Colombo Stock Exchange shut amid unrest

    Colombo Stock Exchange shut amid unrest

    The CSE said in a statement that they had been informed that the Real Time Gross Settlement system of the central bank will not be operated on Tuesday…reports Asian Lite News

    Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on Tuesday declared a market holiday as a nationwide curfew was imposed due to the violence that ensued the previous night.

    The CSE said in a statement that they had been informed that the Real Time Gross Settlement system of the central bank will not be operated on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Thus, the Central Depository System of the CSE is unable to complete the fund settlement and the securities settlement falling on Tuesday as per the delivery versus payment settlement mechanism.

    “In the circumstances, the CSE has declared Tuesday as a market holiday due to the aforesaid operational reasons,” said the CSE.

    At least five people were killed and more than 200 people have been reportedly admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the violent situation that erupted the hear of the capital city on Monday following clashes between pro and anti-government protesters.

    Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Prime Minister on Monday as violent protests broke out.

    Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has has urged the opposition to form an all-party government, but the latter has refused to do so until he steps down.

    ALSO READ: Chinese contribution to the Sri Lankan financial crisis

  • Lanka running out of cooking gas

    Lanka running out of cooking gas

    Lankans have been facing severe gas shortages for months and long queues to buy gas can be seen across the country….reports Asian Lite News

    Amid the ongoing economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s leading liquefied petroleum gas supplier Litro Gas Lanka Limited on Monday said that they are unable to supply gas to domestic consumers until new stocks arrive.

    Litro Gas chairman Vijitha Herath said only industrial gas stocks are available at the moment and the company asked people not to wait in queues, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Herath said that they expect to pay $7 million on Monday to import liquefied petroleum gas on Friday and Saturday.

    Sri Lankans have been facing severe gas shortages for months and long queues to buy gas can be seen across the country.

    Facing the worst economic crisis since independence, Sri Lankans have been facing shortages of many essential items, including food, medicine, fuel cooking gas, as well as hours-long power cuts.

    ALSO READ: Curfew in Lankan capital

  • Curfew in Lankan capital

    Curfew in Lankan capital

    The crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Friday declared a state of emergency after the crippling strike and protest over the external debt for the second time in five weeks….reports Asian Lite News

    After clashes broke out in Galle Face area, Sri Lanka has imposed a police curfew within the Western Province of Colombo with immediate effect until further notice.

    Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and a group of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs who arrived at Galle Face were attacked by a group of protesters. In view of the debilitating law and order situation, they were escorted out immediately.

    Furthermore, nine individuals who were injured during the clash at Galle Face Green were admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo.

    Supporters of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also entered the Galle Face area and clashed with the anti-government protestors.

    In order to contain the deteriorating situation police used tear gas and water cannon.

    The crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Friday declared a state of emergency after the crippling strike and protest over the external debt for the second time in five weeks.

    Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is struggling with acute food and electricity shortages, forcing the country to seek help from its neighbours. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The country is unable to buy sufficient fuel and gas, while the people are being deprived of basic amenities as well.

    The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: Breather for Lanka as B’desh extends loan deadline

  • IMF to start next round of technical discussions with Lanka

    IMF to start next round of technical discussions with Lanka

    The two sides held the first round of discussions at the IMF headquarters last month…reports Asian Lite News

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced it will begin the next round of technical discussions with Sri Lanka from May 9-23

    IMF’s mission chief for Sri Lanka, Masahiro Nozaki said that the Fund is committed to assisting Sri Lanka, in line with its policies, reports Xinhua news agency.

    “Because Sri Lanka’s debt is assessed as unsustainable, approval of IMF financing, including through a Rapid Financing Instrument, would require adequate assurances that debt sustainability will be restored,” he said.

    The two sides held the first round of discussions at the IMF headquarters last month.

    Sri Lanka hopes for a Rapid Finance Instrument (RFI) facility as well as a larger Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the IMF to overcome its foreign currency shortage issues that had led to an economic crisis.

    ALSO READ-State of emergency in Lanka

  • State of emergency in Lanka

    State of emergency in Lanka

    President Rajapaksa declared state of emergency on the powers vested on him under the Public Security Ordinance….reports SUSITHA FERNANDO

     Following Friday’s island-wide trade union strike bringing Sri Lanka to a complete halt and ahead of planned continuous “hartal” (strike) from May 11 against the government, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared state of emergency from Friday midnight.

    Emergency law gives sweeping powers to military to crackdown on protests and make arrests without court warrants.

    President Rajapaksa declared state of emergency on the powers vested on him under the Public Security Ordinance.

    “I am of opinion that by reason of a public emergency in Sri Lanka, it is expedient, so to do, in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community,” he stated in the gazette notification on imposing of emergency regulation.

    On Friday, hartal declared by trade unions demanding the President resign brought the country to a complete standstill. The trade union leaders threatened if Rajapaksa does not resign by May 11, they would resort to a continuous trade union action, halting the country by blocking transport, electricity, fuel and food supplies.

    On April 1, Rajapaksa declared state of emergency, a day after hundreds of protestors tried to storm his private residence over unprecedented economic crisis. However, he withdrew the decision in fear of losing an attempt to extend it by a vote in the parliament.

    People have taken to streets with severe economic crisis with no food, fuel, cooking gas and medicines and more than seven hour daily power cuts are scheduled with no fuel to run the power stations.

    ALSO READ: Hartal brings Lanka to a standstill, Protests rock Parliament

  • Hartal brings Lanka to a standstill, Protests rock Parliament

    Hartal brings Lanka to a standstill, Protests rock Parliament

    Public protests were conducted in almost all the cities demanding the government to step down immediately….writes SUSITHA FERNANDO

    Burdened by growing food crisis and shortages of fuel and gas, Sri Lankans launched an island-wide ‘hartal’ on Friday, giving ultimatum to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government to resign by March 11.

    Organised by the trade unions representing different state sector institutions, the hartal brought the entire country to a standstill as the private sector, including various trades, banks, exporting companies such as the apparel sector stayed away from work.

    Public protests were conducted in almost all the cities demanding the government to step down immediately.

    “What we did today was only to tell Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. If he doesn’t leave by May 11, we will launch island-wide trade union action using over 2,000 trade unions, and will bring the country to a continuous standstill. There will be no electricity, water, gas and fuel,” Lal Bangamuwage, President of Independent Harbour Trade Union, told the media.

    Meanwhile, the police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of university students and public who blocked all entrances to the Parliament, protesting against 225 lawmakers from all parties for their failure to solve the current crisis.

    The protesters complained that all the lawmakers have failed and demanded their immediate resignation.

    (ANI)

    On Thursday, the police barricaded entrances to the Parliament to prevent the protesters from entering but the university students who damaged several iron barricades camped outside the Parliament overnight. People served them food and drinks.

    In a symbolic gesture in their protest against the government and President Rajapaksa, people on Friday hung underpants on the police barricades, and some of them were painted with slogans ‘Gota go home’.

    “We only have this, so take this as well,” a protester said as he removed his underwear in public and hung it on the police barricade.

    At the Parliament, the main opposition, which had filed two no-confidence motions to oust President Rajapaksa and the government lead by his elder brother Mahinda, demanded the Speaker to fix the date for voting.

    However, the government on Tuesday in a voting to select a deputy speaker proved that it still holds comfortable majority in the Parliament, signalling that it could defeat the no-confidence motions too.

    Going through the worst economic crisis and facing rocketing inflation, people for more than a month have taken to the streets and have blocked the entrance to the President’s office. Ten days ago, they camped outside the Prime Minister’s official residence, demanding the government to step down.

    With no cooking gas available in the market along with many other essentials, including food, milk powder and medicine, people have been forced to stand in queues for many hours to purchase fuel, that too in limited quantities.

    With less than $50 million dollar forex reserves in hand, Sri Lanka’s total debt is $51 billion with $7 billion due by the end of 2022.

    In April, the country announced defaulting of all external debts and is in discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restructure loans.

    India has helped assisting the talks with the IMF and has provided nearly $3 billion financial support, including rice, medicine, fuel and currency swaps.

    ALSO READ: Lankan PM thanks Tamil Nadu CM