Category: News

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had attempted to leave the country today but was prevented from doing so by immigration staff, the AFP news agency quoted official sources as saying.

Rajapaksa and his wife spent the night at a military base next to the main international airport before he attempted to leave.

He has promised to resign on Wednesday and clear the way for a “peaceful transition of power” — but became stuck in his own country on Tuesday after an attempt to flee.

As president, Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from arrest. It is believed he wanted to go abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of being detained.

But immigration officers were refusing to go to the VIP suite to stamp his passport, while he insisted he would not go through the public facilities, fearing reprisals from other airport users.

Rajapaksa’s youngest brother, Basil — who resigned in April as finance minister — missed his flight early on Tuesday after a similar standoff with airport staff.

Basil Rajapaksa tried to use the paid concierge service for business travellers, but airport and immigration staff said they were withdrawing from the fast-track service with immediate effect.

“There were some other passengers who protested against Basil boarding their flight,” an airport official told AFP. “It was a tense situation, so he hurriedly left the airport.”

There was no official word from the president’s office about his whereabouts, but he remained commander-in-chief of the armed forces with military resources at his disposal.

One option still open to him would be to take a navy vessel to either India or the Maldives, a defence source said.

Source: Colombo Gazette

The Indian High Commission in Colombo had categorically denied speculative reports in sections of media and social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka.

These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of India, tweeted the High Commission.

The Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India clearly stated that India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity & progress through democratic means & values, established institutions & constitutional framework.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds.”

“We continue to closely follow the recent developments in Sri Lanka. India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework,” Bagchi said.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the Indian government has always been supportive of Sri Lanka and it was “trying to help” the neighbouring country through its present economic crisis and made it clear that there was “no refugee crisis right now”.

Speaking to reporters outside the Thiruvananthapuram airport after arriving in the state capital on a three-day visit, Jaishankar said, “We have been very supportive of Sri Lanka. We are trying to help and we are always very helpful where they are concerned.

Source: News 1st

Sri Lankan Party Leaders have decided to convene parliament on the 15th of July, two days after the President steps down.

The Party Leaders including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Kumar Welgama, Dilan Perera Tiran Alles, Dullas Alahapperuma, Mano Ganesan, Lakshaman Kiriella, Rishad Bathiudeen, Udaya Gammanpila, and several other MPs had attended the crucial meeting on Monday (11) afternoon.

MP Rauff Hakeem speaking to reporters said the nominations for the post of President will be taken up on the 19th of July, and then on the 20th of July, an election will be held.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem speaking to reporters said Ranil Wickremesinghe made another attempt at the meeting to seek the approval of party leaders to make fuel purchases.

He said the party leaders opposed the decision to move such a proposal, adding that it was a decision to be made by the Cabinet of Ministers and NOT the Party Leaders.

Rauf Hakeem said he will NOT accept Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, adding that Wickremesinghe is attempting to pass the blame on to the Party Leaders by moving a proposal at the meeting to make fuel purchases in the absence of any valid document.

“Words were exchanged at the meeting,” said Rauff Hakeem adding that the objective is to form an all-party government, with a large number of ruling party MPs.

He questioned by the President is not directing his decision to step down in writing to the speaker, rather than making phone calls.

Rauff Hakeem said both the President and the Prime Minister must submit their resignations in writing.

Source: News 1st

The European Union (EU) has called for a democratic and orderly transition in Sri Lanka.

The EU said that it is closely following developments in Sri Lanka and hopes the country returns back to normal.

“We call on all parties to cooperate and focus on a peaceful, democratic and orderly transition,” the EU said.

The EU emphasized that it is the responsibility of all party leaders to pave way to a solution to the current crisis and return back to normalcy.

The EU said it is assessing the available options to further step up its support to Sri Lanka’s population.

Source: Colombo Gazette

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