US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung today (14) called on Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the party headquarters.
The discussion was focused on the latest political developments and the ongoing economic crisis in the country.
The Parliamentary group of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has decided to accept and support Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister.
The group convened today (14) under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House.
This is the first meeting of the SLFP Parliamentary group since Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the country’s Prime Minister.
The present political situation in the country is due to be taken up for discussion during today’s talks.
The United Kingdom has issued a travel advisory on Sri Lanka warning against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that it advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to ongoing political and economic instability.
This advice does not apply to airside transit through Sri Lanka’s international airport.
A State of Emergency has been declared and an island-wide curfew is in place.
Several incidents took place on 9 May involving violence against peaceful protesters, including in the Galle Face area in Colombo, where the security authorities used tear gas and water cannons. Incidents also took place near Beira Lake in Colombo, Kandy, and in other parts of the country, resulting in injuries and loss of life. Further incidents could take place, the FCDO said.
“If you are in Sri Lanka at this time, or considering travel, you should avoid all protests and follow the advice of local authorities,” FCDO said.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has confirmed that international travellers can use their passports and airline tickets as curfew passes to travel to and from the airport.
“The economic situation is deteriorating in Sri Lanka with shortages of basic necessities including medicines, cooking gas, fuel and food because of a shortage of hard currency to pay for imports. There may be long queues at shops and supermarkets, fuel stations, and pharmacies. There are ongoing daily power cuts due to electricity rationing,” FCDO said.
There have been a number of protests since 31 March 2022. Further protests are likely to take place across the island. The Government of Sri Lanka may impose local restrictions at short notice.
FCDO urged British citizens to be vigilant, avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings, and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed four new ministers on Saturday (14), all four key members of the previous government, in the interest of “stability”, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
Prof G L Peiris was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dinesh Gunawardena as Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Local Government, Prasanna Ranatunga as Miniser of Urban Development and Housing, and Kanchana Wijesekara as Minister Power and Energy before the president.
“Until a full cabinet is appointed, in order to continue the functions of parliament and the country with stability, President Rajapaksa made these four appointments,” the PMD statement said.
Independent political parties of the government have communicated they will not join the new government being formed, but will support any programme that will develop the economy.
Speaking to media today parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said the 10 political parties that declared themselves independent in Parliament recently, will support any new administration carry out favourable policies.
He said his faction does not believe the current office bearers will be able to control the economic crisis, but added that there was no reason to disrupt the policies they were trying to enforce.
MP Weerawansa said they do not hope to attack the new Prime Minister, but will continue to support the government, while sitting in the opposition.
However MP Wimal Weerawansa said they will not let any leader sell local assets to foreign entities and disrupt the long term progress of the country.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided NOT to be part of any government led by newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SLFP will NOT accept any position in government, and will NOT be a part of the government, said Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, & Former President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday (13).
The President and the Prime Minister have extended invitations to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to join the new government that will be formed under the leadership of Wickremesinghe.
The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party had discussed the invitation and the current status of the country at length, and thereafter had reached the decision NOT to join Wickremesinghe’s government.
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed to News 1st that the SLPP party would support the Wickremesinghe-led Government.
He added that the SLPP parliamentary group would meet The President tomorrow, at 10:00 AM.
The SLPP announcement comes in the wake of all main opposition parties announcing their decision to stay away from joining a government under Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Premiership.
This would effectively mean that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe could end up as the head of a Government solely with Pohottuwa MP’s.
The Parliamentary group of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna will convene tomorrow (14) under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The meeting will be held at 9am at the President’s House.
This is the first meeting of the SLFP Parliamentary group since Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the country’s Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, 10 political parties that declared themselves independent in Parliament have decided to unconditionally support newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Parliamentary Group of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya will meet on Friday (13) at the Office of the Opposition Leader to discuss the motion against the President, and also the current political situation.
General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking to News 1st said the party will propose the name of Imthiaz Bakeer Markar for the post of Deputy Speaker in Parliament, which is currently vacant.
He also said that the Samagi Jana Balavegaya will NOT extend any support to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Former rebel Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan has reportedly fled Sri Lanka following the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.
Pillayan is reported to have fled by boat to a foreign country.
Media reports claimed that he had fled to Malaysia and was to travel to a European country from there.
Chandrakanthan was appointed last month as the State Minister of Rural Road Development.
The Attorney General had earlier indicted Pillayan with 06 other persons in the High Court of Batticaloa for offences committed under Sections 32, 102, 113[b], 140 & 146 of the Penal Code read with Section 2[1][a] , 2[i] & 3[b] of the Prevention of Terrorism [Temporary Provisions] Act No. 48 of 1979 as amended by Act No. 10 of 1982 and Act No. 22 of 1988 in connection with the killing of former Member of Parliament for Batticaloa District Joseph Pararajasingham.
Pillayan had been jailed but was released on bail after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President.
