Sri Lanka Crisis HIGHLIGHTS: Don’t Take Part In Protests, China’s Embassy In Sri Lanka Warns Its Nationals
Sri Lanka Protest HIGHLIGHTS: A deep financial crisis has left Sri Lanka struggling to pay for imports of food, medicine, and fuel and brought thousands of protesters onto the streets.
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Sri Lanka Crisis HIGHLIGHTS: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday agreed to step down from his post hours after thousands of protesters stormed his official residence in the capital of Colombo, forcing him to flee to an unknown location. Rajapaksa has informed that he will resign from the Presidency on July 13, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced in a press conference on Saturday, according to a report by news agency Reuters.
After a sea of protestors attacked the official residences of Prime Minister and the President of Sri Lanka on Saturday, tearing down security cordons placed by police, taking a dip in the swimming pool and romping through his kitchen and home. The protesters also broke into Ranil Wickremesinghe's private residence and set it on fire, angered by the unprecedented economic crisis.
Wickremesinghe, who was appointed as Prime Minister in May announced that he will resign from his post in order to ensure the continuation of the government and the safety of all the citizens.
Taking to Twitter, Wickremesinghe said, "To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens, I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government. To facilitate this, I will resign as Prime Minister."
Meanwhile, the United States on Sunday urged Sri Lankan leaders to act quickly to seek long-term solutions after the president was chased from his residence and announced his resignation.
Any new government should "work quickly to identify and implement solutions that will achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lankan people's discontent," a State Department spokesperson said as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Thailand.
Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE: Don’t Take Part In Protests, China’s Embassy In Sri Lanka Warns Its Nationals
China, which has invested billions of dollars in Sri Lanka, has warned hundreds of its nationals in the country not to participate in any protests there, as it watched warily the fast unfolding crisis in the island nation where large masses of people raided the President’s palace and burnt the Prime Minister’s residence.
The Chinese Embassy in Colombo issued a notice on Saturday, reminding Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka to pay close attention to the local security situation and abide by local laws and regulations after the protests spread, state-run Global Times here reported.
It asked Chinese nationals not to participate in any protests, the report said.
The embassy reminded Chinese nationals not to participate in or watch any protests after hundreds of thousands of protesters stormed and occupied the presidential palace and set the Sri Lankan prime minister's private residence on fire in Colombo to demand the government take responsibility for mismanaging the nation's finances and for the crippling food and fuel shortages faced by the country, the report added.
The embassy also suggested that Chinese nationals be vigilant, stay safe, avoid going out, keep communication open and keep updated with the embassy's notices and reminders, it said. (PTI)
Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE: US Closely Watching Political Developments, Says US Ambassador To Sri Lanka
US is closely watching the political development in Sri Lanka. It's a fragile moment, we urge restraint from all directions. All parties must cooperate for a democratic transition of power. We condemn violence against peaceful protestors & journalists: US Ambassador to Sri Lanka pic.twitter.com/ZyMztwgTLZ
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2022
Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE: India Stands With Sri Lanka, Closely Following Recent Developments, Says MEA
India stands with people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means, values: MEA
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 10, 2022
Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE: Sri Lanka's Opposition parties set to meet to discuss formation of new all-party government
Colombo, Jul 10 (PTI) Sri Lanka's main Opposition parties are expected to hold a special party meeting on Sunday to forge consensus on establishing an all-party government amid the unprecedented political turmoil as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe offered to resign after protesters occupied their homes protesting over the mishandling the economy.
The meeting of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and its constituent parties will be attended by leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauff Hakeem, leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance Mano Ganesan and leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress Rishad Bathiudeen, News First portal reported.
Another meeting of the leaders of nine parties, including the National Freedom Front, was planned for Sunday to discuss the emerging political situation.
Vice President of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka Weerasumana Weerasinghe said that there will be a lengthy discussion about the all-party government.
The Speaker would become the acting President in the absence of both the President and the Prime Minister. Later, an election among MPs must happen to elect a new President. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has also offered to resign.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe whose private house suffered an extensive arson attack last night remains in position despite calls to quit.
Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE: Congress Expresses Solidarity With Sri Lanka
Congress expresses its solidarity with Sri Lanka & its people in this moment of grave crisis & hopes they'll be able to overcome it. We hope India will continue to assist people&govt of Sri Lanka as they deal with difficulties of the current situation: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
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