Sri Lanka crisis Live News: Stage set for massive escalation as Ranil Wickremesinghe is appointed interim President despite heavy protests

PM becomes acting President only if President appoints him: Sri Lanka LoP Sajith Premadasa

Sri Lanka LoP Sajith Premadasa: “PM becomes acting President only if the President appoints him as such, or if the office of President is vacant, or if the CJ in consultation with the Speaker forms the view that the President is unable to act. In the absence of any of these, the PM cannot exercise the powers of President, and cannot declare curfew or a state of emergency.”

Sri Lanka crisis deepens: Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed as interim President

Despite heavy protests against him, Ranil Wickremesinghe has been apointed as interim President of Sri Lanka. This is likely to fuel ongoing protests in Colombo. Thousands of protesters today storm Wickremesinghe’s residence.

Clarify how govt gave refuge to Gotabaya: Maldives National Party to submit motion in Parliament

The parliamentary group of the Maldives National Party will be submitting a motion to the Parliament (Majlis) to clarify how Maldives government acted in giving refuge to President Gotabaya.

Ranil Wickremesinghe declares state of emergency as acting President: Report

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a state of emergency as the acting president after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives earlier today, as per Reuters.

Sri Lanka crisis: Next President will be for an interim period – Opposition MP

Amid massive protests against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankan Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka says the President has left country without signing his resignation. The Speaker and whole country hoped that he would send his resignation properly, so that within next week the Parliament can elect another president. “Next President will be for an interim period. They are not going to contest elections next time. LoP Sajith Premadasa has shown his intention for same. Presidential elections can’t be held at this juncture, as per the constitution it should be in held 2024,” he says.

Sri Lanka upheaval: Military personnel used tear gas shells to disperse protesters

Sri Lanka crisis: Hundreds of angry protesters today entered the residence of the Prime Minister. Military personnel used tear gas shells to disperse protestors who scaled the wall to enter PM’s residence in Colombo.

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after President flees to Maldives

Sri Lanka has declared the state of emergency, AFP reported citing PM’s office. This morning, President Goatabaya Rajapaksa fled to Maldives.

Sri Lanka crisis LIVE: After Gotabaya flees, thousands hit streets seeking to stop Ranil’s takeover as interim President

Sri Lanka crisis: Former Advisor to Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs ministry says the protesters want the Prime Minister to resign because as per constitution if the President resigns, the PM becomes the acting President. “People want both of them to leave. Police took action by tear gas shelling. Army troops moved in,” he adds.

Sri Lanka crisis deepens: Heavy military presence at PM’s residence in Colombo

Sri Lanka crisis: Amid massive protests against Ranil Wickremesinghe, heavy military deployment has been made at prime minister’s residence in Colombo. Thousands of protestors are heading towards the PM’s office in the capital city.

Colombo chaos: Protestors head towards Sri Lankan PM’s office

Sri Lanka crisis: Thousands of protestors are heading towards Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinighe’s office as protest broke out again in Colombo. They are opposing Wickremesinighe’s taking over as interim President. This is happening after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today fled the country and he is expected to resign by today evening. As per Sri Lanka’s constitution, Prime Minister takes over as interim President if President resigns. The protesters are against Ranil as he was chosen by Gotabaya.

Sri Lanka crisis LIVE: High drama expected at PM’s house in Colombo, 10,000 protestors marching

Sri Lanka crisis: High drama is expected at the Prime Minister’s house in Colombo as around 10,000 protestors are marching towards the house. His private residence was torched by angry protesters last week. He resigned from the post on 9 July to clear the way for a unity government. Ranil was chosen by Gotabaya as PM. As per Sri Lanka’ constitution, if Presidnet resigns, PM takes over as interim President. However, protesters are opposing Ranil taking over as interim President.

Sri Lanka: Opposition parties discussing how to elect next President – MP Anura Priyadharshana

Sri Lanka’s independent MP Anura Priyadharshana says that the opposition parties are meeting to get an idea on how to elect next president of country. “Many parties are discussing to create a consensus. It’s important to achieve it. Sajith Premadasa (Leader of the Opposition) was second in last elections so we spoke to him,” he adds.

Gotabaya won’t resign until he reaches the final destination: Sources

Sources said that Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is expected to quit today, won’t resign until he reaches the final destination. He is likely to reach the last destination at late evening.

Ranil Wickremesinghe resigned as PM on 9 July

After fresh round of protest broke out, Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his resignation as PM. “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,” he said.

India denies facilitating travel of Rajapaksa out of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka crisis: India today rejected the report that it facilitated the travel of Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of Sri Lanka. “It is reiterated that India will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values , established democratic institutions and constitutional framework,” it said.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa used air force aircraft to reach Maldives

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the first lady along with two bodyguards were subjected to full approval by Ministry of Defense for immigration, customs and other laws to fly to Maldives, country’s air force media director said. Air Force aircraft was provided to them in early morning of July 13.

We haven’t received Gotabaya’s resignation yet: Sri Lanka Speaker

Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament: We haven’t received Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation yet, but we hope to get it in a day.