Sri Lanka: PM Wickremesinghe orders military, police to restore order
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed the country's acting president and a state of emergency has been declared in the island nation following a standoff between the security forces and angry protesters who tried to enter the Prime Minister's Office. Wickremesinghe has also appointed a committee—comprising defense and police officials—to ensure the security of citizens and restore the law and order.
Why does this story matter?
Sri Lanka has been facing severe shortages of food, fuel, and other essentials, as well as record inflation and crippling power cuts. It is struggling to service its $51 billion foreign debt due to a lack of foreign exchange with the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardizing its lucrative tourism revenue. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday and Wickremesinghe was made the acting president.
We must end this fascist threat to democracy: Wickremesinghe
"We must end this fascist threat to democracy... The President's Office, the President's Secretariat, and the Prime Minister's official residence must be returned to proper custody," Wickremesinghe said after taking over as the acting president. "Those...in my office want to stop me from discharging my responsibilities... We can't let them tear up our Constitution... That is why I declared a nationwide emergency and curfew."
Protesters storm PM's Office in Colombo
Rajapaksa to resign as president today
The committee entrusted with restoring law and order in the nation comprises the Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Force Commanders, and the Inspector General of Police. Wickremesinghe said the committee will be given every authority to act without interference from politicians, Daily Mirror reported. According to local media reports, Rajapaksa will resign today while a new president will be elected on July 20.
As president, Rajapaksa has immunity from arrest
Rajapaksa had earlier informed through Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that he would resign on Wednesday. As the president, Rajapaksa has immunity from arrest. It is believed he wanted to leave the country before resigning. Reportedly, he was barred from leaving Lanka earlier—like his younger brother Basil Rajapaksa—following an embarrassing standoff with airport officials. In the Maldives, he was driven to an undisclosed location.
State-owned TV goes off air as protesters storm building
Protesters stormed the building of Sri Lanka's state-owned national television channel Rupavahini prompting it to suspend its telecast on Wednesday amid the protests. The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) said that it has suspended live and recorded telecasts as protesters surrounded the premises. The demonstrators demanded the channel to only telecast news related to the "anti-government protests" and entertainment programs, Newswire Lanka reported.
