Author: Branita

In the aftermath of the struggle, the political parties – the ten-party alliance, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the independent group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)- met yesterday and decided to push for the nomination of MP Dullas Alahapperuma and Opposition Leader as the president and the prime minister of the proposed all-party government, Daily Mirror learns.

The representatives of these parties met at the residence of SJB MP Thalata Athukorale in Colombo. The SJB, as the main opposition, was represented by its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. Representing the ten-party alliance, MPS Udaya Gammanpila, Wimal Weerawansa and Gevindu Cumaratunga attended it. The SLFP was represented by MPS Dayasiri Jayasekara and Duminda Dissanayake. The SLPP independent group sent MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa for it.

They reportedly discussed that Mr. Alahapperuma and Mr. Premadasa who is also the SJB leader should take over the leadership positions to steer the country out of the current mess.

A faction of the ruling SLPP called for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on July 9. Besides, the leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament also requested him to do so. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said later that the president would step down on July 13.

In the event of both the president and the prime minister resigning, the Speaker is appointed acting president for a temporary period till Parliament appoints one of its members to serve presidency for the rest of the term. In this instance,

Mr. Alahapperuma is proposed to the post by one faction of the ruling party whereas the others promote newly appointed MP Dhammika Perera to it.

A Cabinet comprising MPS from all the parties is proposed to be formed.the representatives of the struggle are to be included in the advisory council to instruct the Cabinet in governance. However, no final decision has been taken.

Source: Daily Mirror

Dumbfounding constitutional pundits, the largely peaceful protestors in hundreds of thousands inspired by the three-month old ‘Aragalaya’ on Saturday forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to announce their resignations.

Defying shortage of fuel and public transport, anti-Rajapaksa people countrywide took to the street on Saturday and converged at GotaGoGama at Galle Face and Fort area and broke through barricades, withstood teargas and water cannon attacks and stormed the President’s House and Presidential Secretariat calling for his and interim-Government’s resignation over the failure to resolve the worst economic crisis in the country.

President Rajapaksa was not present in either of the locations and his whereabouts still remain a secret.

However, the besieged Gotabaya Rajapaksa conveyed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that he will step down as President on Wednesday whilst people questioned the reasons for dating his exit instead of making it immediate or in a day.

However, the announcement also followed all party leaders at a late evening meeting on Saturday requesting Rajapaksa to resign immediately.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe too told the party leaders that he was willing to resign as well and make way for an all-party Government to take over.

The Prime Minister’s media office quoted Wickremesinghe as saying he is taking this decision in view of the fact that countrywide fuel distribution is due to recommence this week, the World Food Program Director is due to visit the country this week and the Debt Sustainability report for the IMF is due to be finalised shortly. So as to ensure safety of the citizens, he is agreeable to this recommendation by the Opposition Party Leaders.

The GotaGoGama activists on Saturday presented six urgent demands including the immediate resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and all in interim Government. The activists made a statement addressing the people and media from the President’s House, which saw large crowds for the second consecutive day yesterday.

The impending ouster of the President and Prime Minister and the interim-Government came as the anti-Rajapaksa people’s movement via GotaGoHome and GotaGoGama marked its three months.

The ‘Aragalaya’ drew much praise as well as criticism apart from many doubting its effectiveness. Constitutional experts insisted President Rajapaksa cannot be ousted whilst he himself refused to resign stating he does not want to do so as a “failed President” and assured relief and development before his tenure ends by late 2024.

Global leaders and local activists yesterday called for a swifter and smoother transition of power as political parties scrambled to reach consensus on the way forward.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka yesterday urged all parties to understand the urgency of the situation and that a prompt and smooth transition of power is necessary to ensure important decisions relating to the economy and other areas are addressed. BASL also insisted the President’s resignation must not be delayed.

Several private sector associations also called for a smoother and faster transition urging all political parties to put national interest first and work together to bring immediate relief to people and ensure good governance.

Source: Daily FT

The Inter-University Students’ Federation says they will not hand over any buildings they occupied until the President hands over his letter of resignation.

Convener of the Union Wasantha Mudalige, addressing a media briefing from Galle Face said the President and the Prime Minister should have immediately resigned when the public demanded resignations.

He noted instead President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has claimed he would resign on the 13th of July.

The IUSF Convener reiterated that buildings and offices under the control of protesters will not be handed over to the government until the letter of resignation is submitted.

Wasantha Mudalige further said certain individuals are attempting to take advantage of the situation under the pretense of establishing an all-party government.

Mudalige noted necessary steps will be taken to provide solutions to the issues of the people adding that authorities have been notified that they should act accordingly.

Source: NewsRadio

Sri Lankans who engaged in a mass protest at the Fort area yesterday (09) took steps to inform the Central Colombo Police of a sum over Rs. 17 million being found, after which a group of Police officers attached to Fort Police station took steps to accept the funds.

Accordingly, a sum of Rs. 17,850,000/- was handed over to the Police, after a group of protestors discovered the money at the President’s House, and informed a Special Task Force member at the premises.

The relevant sum of money is currently being kept safely at the Fort Police station, and the Courts are due to be informed about the money tomorrow (11).

Source: News 1st

The United States on Sunday urged Sri Lankan leaders to act quickly to seek long-term solutions after the President was chased from his residence and announced his resignation.

As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa prepares to step down, the United States calls on “the Sri Lankan parliament to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation — not any one political party,” a State Department spokesperson said on Sunday as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Thailand.

“We urge this government or any new, constitutionally selected government to work quickly to identify and implement solutions that will achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lankan people’s discontent over the worsening economic conditions, including power, food and fuel shortages.”

The United States warned against attacks on protesters or journalists, but also criticised violence on Saturday as a mob stormed Rajapaksa’s residence.

“The Sri Lankan people have the right to peacefully raise their voices, and we call for the full investigation, arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in any protest-related violent incidents,” the spokesperson said.

Rajapaksa has had a rocky relationship with the United States over his dismissal of allegations of war crimes in the bloody finale of Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war and his close economic partnership with China.

Both the United States and China have offered in recent weeks to support the once-prosperous island as it grapples with unprecedented fuel and food shortages.

Source: Colombo Gazette