Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa appoints Wickremesinghe as acting President in his absence; nationwide curfew imposed till 5 am on Thursday

Jul 13, 2022 | 23:30PM IST

Military crackdown on protesters could worsen Sri Lanka situation: Experts

The situation in Sri Lanka is very fragile and any military crackdown on protesters could further worsen the overall atmosphere, strategic affairs experts warned on Wednesday as the island nation looks at a new political phase after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country following months of protests. It is very important that political anarchy is avoided in Sri Lanka and all the stakeholders must work together to restore political stability, they said. Rajapaksa and his wife flew to the Maldives bowing to months of mass protests over the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades.

Jul 13, 2022 | 22:32PM IST

Sri Lanka’s Army Chief requests citizens to support armed forces to maintain law and order

mid ongoing protests, Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva requested all citizens to give their support to the armed forces to maintain law and order in the crisis-ridden country. “Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva requests all citizens to give their support to armed forces & police to maintain the law & order in the country,” tweeted Daily Mirror.

Jul 13, 2022 | 22:23PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe imposes curfew till 5 am tomorrow

Gazette Notification issued by acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe imposing islandwide curfew till 5 am tomorrow, reports Sri Lanka’s Newswire.

Jul 13, 2022 | 21:43PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa issues ‘Extraordinary Gazette’ appointing Wickremesinghe as acting President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued an Extraordinary Gazette appointing Ranil Wickremesinghe, to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, and duties of the Office of President during the period of his absence.

Jul 13, 2022 | 21:07PM IST

Police fire tear gas, use water cannons to disperse protestors near Speaker’s residence: Report

Police had to fire tear gas and use water cannons to disperse protestors near Speaker’s residence close to Parliament, reports Sri Lanka’s Newswire.

Jul 13, 2022 | 20:44PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis: Inside visuals from Prime Minister’s office in Colombo after it was stormed by protestors

Jul 13, 2022 | 20:39PM IST

Nominate a PM who is acceptable to both Govt, Opposition: Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka’s acting President and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday asked Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to nominate a PM who is acceptable to both the Government and Opposition. “On Monday (11th) Sri Lankan PM held a meeting with the Members of the Cabinet. All ministers who participated were of the opinion that as soon as there is an agreement to form an all-party government, they’ll hand over the responsibilities to that government,” says Sri Lanka’s PM’s Media Division. “Accordingly, the ruling party and opposition must form an all-party government. Acting President and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to nominate a Prime Minister who is acceptable to both the Government and Opposition,” it added.

Jul 13, 2022 | 20:35PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis: Protester dies after being tear-gassed outside Prime Minister’s Office

A 26-year-old protestor who was hospitalised after being tear-gassed outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Flower Road today has died after developing breathing difficulties, reports Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror. The protestor was receiving treatment in a private hospital in Colombo, it adds.

Jul 13, 2022 | 20:06PM IST

We strongly request acting President, security forces to immediately establish full law & order: SLPP

We strongly request the acting President and security forces to immediately establish full law and order in the country and we’re ready to support that. Our opinion is that the behaviour of the violent groups facing the country should be taken seriously, says Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Jul 13, 2022 | 18:55PM IST

Sri Lanka issue is a matter of concern for India: Congress leader AR Chowdhury

Amid the political and economic turmoil in Sri Lanka, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday said that the crisis in the island nation is a matter of concern for India. “The Government of India should be more proactive to deal with this situation in Sri Lanka diplomatically, economically, and politically…There may be a refugee influx because the northern part of Sri Lanka is close to South Indian states,” he said. “They may come to India, not as an infiltrator, but compelled to come over because now Sri Lanka is going through a very precarious condition…I will certainly propose to the Govt that an all-party meeting should be held so that we can also express our own views,” the Congress leader added.

Jul 13, 2022 | 17:04PM IST

‘Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will leave for Singapore later today’

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who left for the Maldives early this morning is to leave for Singapore later today, Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror reports citing sources.

Jul 13, 2022 | 16:43PM IST

US Embassy in Sri Lanka cancels all consular services amid fresh protests

US Embassy in Sri Lanka on Wednesday cancelled its all consular services for today and tomorrow amid fresh protests. “Out of an abundance of caution, Consular is canceling our Wednesday afternoon services (American citizen services and NIV passback) as well as all consular services on Thursday. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reschedule all cancelled appointments,” tweeted US Embassy in Sri Lanka.

Jul 13, 2022 | 16:17PM IST

PM, President conspiring against people, says a Sri Lankan national amid raging protests

Amid raging protests in Sri Lanka due to the economic crisis, a national of the island nation on Wednesday blamed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has fled the country, for the current situation. “PM and President were conspiring against people. The President promised to resign on 13th July but he didn’t do that. So, you can see that people are angry & frustrated with the system, and with the President’s decisions. So, they occupied PM’s office,” ANI quoted Kalpraj, a Sri Lankan national, as saying. “There should be a legal procedure to bring him (President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) back to the country and at the same time, there are enough laws in Sri Lanka to punish such criminals,” he added.

Jul 13, 2022 | 16:06PM IST

‘Can’t allow fascists to take over’: Sri Lanka PM tells military and police to ‘restore order’

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed the military and police “to do what is necessary to restore order”, he said in a televised statement Wednesday after protesters stormed his office. The demonstrators “want to stop me from discharging my responsibilities as acting president”, he added. “We can’t allow fascists to take over.”

Jul 13, 2022 | 15:32PM IST

Sri Lanka PM tells military and police to ‘restore order’: televised statement

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday told the military and police to ‘restore order’ in a televised statement. The statement comes after the protestors entered the premises of the PM’s office building in Colombo as the fury of the protests intensifies in the country.

Jul 13, 2022 | 15:23PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis: Inside visuals from PMO in Colombo after it was stormed by protestors – video

Jul 13, 2022 | 15:11PM IST

Srilankan PM’s office taken over by protesters in Colombo

Jul 13, 2022 | 15:10PM IST

Sri Lanka: Protestors take over PM’s office in Colombo

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:59PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis LIVE: Protesters take over PM’s office in Colombo

Protesters have taken over the Prime Minister’s office in Colombo. So far, 24 people have been injured and hospitalised during the protest at the Prime Minister’s Office at Flower Road.

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:56PM IST

President Gotabaya pledges to resign as promised earlier: Speaker

Sri Lankan Speaker says President telephoned him a short while ago and pledged to resign as earlier promised. The letter to this effect will be sent to the Speaker within the day and new President will be elected in Parliament on July 20 as planned.

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:54PM IST

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha to travel to Singapore next – Sources

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha, who fled to Maldives this morning, will next travel to Singapore, according to sources.

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:43PM IST

US Embassy in Sri Lanka cancels its all consular services

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka today canceled its all consular services due to fresh protests against interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a tweet, it said: “Out of an abundance of caution, Consular is canceling our Wednesday afternoon services (American citizen services and NIV passback) as well as all consular services on Thursday. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reschedule all canceled appointments.”

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:27PM IST

Protestors storm into national broadcaster in Sri Lanka

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:23PM IST

Forces fire tear gas shells near PM’s residence in Colombo

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:17PM IST

Sri Lanka’s national TV goes off-air as protesters storm into its office

Sri Lanka’s national TV channel Rupavahini Corporation has gone off-air as it suspended its telecasts amid its premises being surrounded by protesters in Colombo.

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:52PM IST

Sri Lanka national TV suspends telecast

Amid massive protests, Sri Lanka’s national TV has suspended broadcast. Earlier today, the angry protesters had stromed into the tower. Now, the army has taken over the TV station.

Jul 13, 2022 | 14:03PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis: Protests intensify as Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed as interim President

Protesters have intensified their protests over Ranil Wickremesiinghe’s appointment as interim President. Protesters want Wickremesinghe to quit and let someone else take over as the chief executive till the time new leader is elected by the Parliament.

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:42PM IST

Emergency declared as President Gotabaya flees to Maldives

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:41PM IST

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.”

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:34PM IST

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.

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:20PM IST

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.

Jul 13, 2022 | 12:59PM IST

Sri Lanka crisis spirals: Sound of gunshots heard as protesters storm PM’s residence in Colombo

Jul 13, 2022 | 12:38PM IST

Protestors stormed into national broadcaster in Sri Lanka

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:35PM IST

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.

Jul 13, 2022 | 12:14PM IST

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.

Jul 13, 2022 | 12:11PM IST

Forces conduct air patrolling as protesters storm PM’s house in Colombo

Jul 13, 2022 | 13:35PM IST

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.

Jul 13, 2022 | 11:52AM IST

Protesters barge into Ranil Wickremesinghe’s house in Colombo

Jul 13, 2022 | 12:20PM IST

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.

Jul 13, 2022 | 11:38AM IST

Sri Lanka: Protesters face to face with military personnel in Colombo

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