Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE Updates: Public anger is at a fever pitch in Sri Lanka as protests spread.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa revoked the emergency rule ordinance that had gone into effect on April 1 yesterday as protests spread in the island country amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sri Lanka's President lost his parliamentary majority as former allies urged his resignation.
Severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials -- along with record inflation and crippling power cuts -- have inflicted widespread misery in the country's most painful downturn since 1948.
Massive protests reflect public anger which is at a fever pitch in the country of 22 million.
Public anger is at a fever pitch, with crowds attempting to storm the homes of several government figures since the weekend and large demonstrations elsewhere. Students were seen marching towards the Prime Minister's house in rain this evening.
Here are the LIVE updates on Sri Lanka Crisis:
University lecturers, Professors protest against Sri Lankan govt over economic crisisAmid the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a group of university lecturers and professors on Wednesday held a protest demonstration against the government.
Anti-government protests continue to take place in the island nation, demanding solutions to the current economic crisis.
Earlier today, the Bank of Ceylon employees union staged a protest against the government over the economic and political crisis in the country.
Speaking to ANI, an officer of the bank said, "We are protesting against the government as they have taken wrong decisions and the people are facing many difficulties because of them.
"The union demanded an election in the country and wanted a new regime to take over.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign 'under any circumstances': Lanka Govt
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign "under any circumstances", his government's chief whip told parliament on Wednesday as he defended the beleaguered leader's controversial decisions, amidst huge public protests demanding his resignation over the country's worst economic crisis.
Sri Lankans have protested for weeks over lengthy power cuts and shortages of gas, food and other basic goods. The public anger has prompted nearly all Cabinet ministers to quit, and scores of lawmakers to leave Rajapaksa's government.
Speaking in Parliament, Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando said the government will face this problem and there is no reason for the President to resign as he was elected to office.
"As a responsible Government, we state President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign from his post under any circumstances," Fernando said.
"Credit Line At Work": India Sends 76,000 Tonnes Fuel To Lanka In 24 Hours
As Sri Lanka goes through a severe economic crisis, India is providing fuel to Colombo so that it can meet some of its immediate needs and help stabilise its domestic economy.
In the past 24 hours, at total of 76,000 tonnes of fuel were delivered to Sri Lanka and the total supply of fuel under Indian assistance now stands at more than 2,70,000 tonnes.
Sri Lanka parliament speaker warns crisis risks starvation
Sri Lanka's crippling economic crisis risks causing starvation across the island nation of 22 million while acute shortages of essentials and debilitating blackouts will get worse, the speaker of parliament warned Wednesday.
Scarce supplies of food and fuel, along with record inflation and electricity rationing, have inflicted widespread misery in the country's most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.
Public anger is at a fever pitch, with crowds attempting to storm the homes of several government figures -- including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa -- and large demonstrations elsewhere.
Parliamentary Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana told legislators that more hardships were to come as the country appeared at the brink of a political impasse.
"We are told this is the worst crisis, but I think this is just the beginning," Abeywardana said at the start of a two-day debate on the worsening economic woes.
Watch: How Does The Crisis In Sri Lanka Impact India ?The economic crisis looming over Sri Lanka did not happen over the last few months, rather the foundation was laid way back in 2010. But such a breakdown of the economy of a neighbour can impact India as well. Arun Singh explains in 'Just A Minute'.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Sri Lanka Protests A Turning Point For Ruling Rajapaksa FamilyIn 2020, Mahinda Rajapaksa won elections to become Sri Lanka's prime minister, serving under his brother and president Gotabaya. In 2021, another sibling, Basil, was named finance minister, tightening the family's hold on power.
Less than a year later, the country's pre-eminent political dynasty is in trouble, as protesters take to the streets making demands that would have been unthinkable before the economic crisis struck: that the president steps down.
"Gota go home!" hundreds of people chanted along a leafy boulevard in Sri Lanka's commercial capital Colombo this week as cars drove past, honking their horns in support.
From beachside towns in the south to the Tamil-speaking north, more than 100 demonstrations have broken out across the island nation since last week, according to the WatchDog research collective.
Sri Lanka Political Crisis: Lankan President Won't Resign, Says Chief Government Whip
Amidst the unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando on Wednesday informed Parliament that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign and will face the current issues.
"As a responsible government, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign under any circumstances," Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.
Fernando said that the President will not resign as he was elected to office, reported Colombo Gazette.
Sri Lanka’s Political Crisis Should End With Snap Election: Leader Vasudeva NanayakkaraSri Lanka's ongoing political turmoil triggered by the country's unprecedented economic crisis can be ended with a snap election, veteran left-wing politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara said on Wednesday, emphasising that there must be a government with everyone participating in it for at least 6 months before the polls are held.
Democratic Left Front politician Nanayakkara was among the 42 members who declared independence in Parliament from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) coalition.
Latest Updates On Sri Lanka Economic Crisis- Finance Minister Ali Sabry resigned a day after his appointment and ahead of crucial talks scheduled with the International Monetary Fund for a loan programme.
- The UN Human Rights Council said it was closely watching the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, which is already facing international censure over its human rights record.
- The cash-strapped country has decided to temporarily shut its embassies in Norway and Iraq, as well as the country's Consulate General in Sydney.
Latest Updates On Sri Lanka Economic CrisisA group of masked soldiers with assault rifles drove through the crowd on unmarked bikes at a protest near Parliament, triggering outrage on social media. This led to a confrontation between the armed soldiers and police officials, prompting Defence Chief Shavendra Silva to call for an inquiry.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa late Tuesday night revoked the state of emergency he had declared on April 1 with immediate effect, even as the government struggled to quell protests amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
The ruling coalition lost its majority in Parliament after at least 41 lawmakers walked out of the alliance, with former allies urging President Rajapaksa's resignation
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis LIVE Updates: Lankan President Revokes State Of Emergency As Protests Spread Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa late on Tuesday revoked the emergency rule ordinance that had gone into effect on April 1, even as the government struggled to quell protests amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
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