Curfew imposed in Colombo; President Rajapaksa likely to reach Singapore
Acting President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday asked Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to nominate a prime minister who is acceptable to both the government and the Opposition. An all-party meeting was held on Wednesday where it was decided to let Speaker take over as the acting President. A curfew has been imposed in Colombo from Thursday 12 pm to Friday 5 am.
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 appointed Wickremesinghe as the acting president.
Rajapaksa likely to travel to Singapore
After reaching the Maldives, Rajapaksa is likely to travel further to Singapore on Thursday. Rajapaksa along with his wife Ioma Rajapaksa and two security officers were expected to leave for Singapore on board SQ437 from Male to Singapore on Wednesday night but did not board the aircraft due to security issues, Daily Mirror added citing sources.
MPs briefed about current security situation
The leaders of political parties met and decided that Wickremesinghe should resign immediately to resolve the current political crisis in the nation. The meeting saw the participation of the members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business and the party leaders. The Chief of Defense Staff, the Commanders of the three-armed forces, and the Inspector General of Police briefed the MPs about the current situation.
26-year-old protester dies
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old student protester, who stormed Ranil Wickremesinghe's office on Wednesday, died during treatment at a hospital after being tear-gassed. He died of breathing difficulties. The police also fired tear gas at protesters near the official residence of the speaker. Protesters also stormed the building of Sri Lanka's state-owned national television channel Rupavahini prompting it to suspend its telecast on Wednesday.
