Sri Lanka Crisis: Amid Unrest Outside Parliament, Acting Prez Declares Curfew
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As demonstrators in Sri Lanka surrounded the parliament, Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday, 13 July, declared a countrywide curfew until 5 am on Thursday.
Earlier, in an emergency all-party meeting called by the Sri Lanka Parliament's Speaker, leaders had asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down and requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to take over as acting president instead.
Embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country and reportedly took shelter in the Maldives, will leave for Singapore amid protests by Sri Lankans living in the Maldives.
Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe, who took over as acting president earlier on Wednesday asked security forces to arrest those involved in rioting in Sri Lanka and restore order.
Extraordinary visuals showed the police personnel in riot gears firing tear gas to scatter a sea of protesters who took over Wickremesinghe's office.
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Protestors dance shouting slogans against president Gotabaya Rajapaksa outside his office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, 13 July.
Protesters dance shouting slogans against president Gotabaya Rajapaksa outside his office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, 13 July.
Cameraman films inside the official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa four days after it was stormed by anti- government protesters in Colombo.
People arrive at the official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa four days after it was stormed by anti- government protesters in Colombo.
Protesters storm Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe s office, demanding he resign after president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled.
Police use teargas as Sri Lankan protesters storm the compound of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe 's office, demanding that he resign.
Police use teargas as Sri Lankan protesters storm the compound of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe 's office, demanding that he resign.
Protesters react after storming the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office, demanding he resign after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country amid economic crisis in Colombo.
Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will resign on Wednesday, 13 July
Wickremesinghe had declared an indefinite nationwide state of emergency earlier on Wednesday
Following this, huge protests broke out in Colombo again, with thousands of demonstrators taking over the PM's office
He had also announced that he would resign from his position as the prime minister
President Rajapaksa had left his residence before historic protests broke out in Colombo
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Sri Lanka President Flees
"On government request and in terms of powers available to a President under the Constitution, with complete approval from the ministry of defence, the President, his wife and two security officials were provided a Sri Lanka Air Force plane to depart from the Katunayake international airport for the Maldives in the early hours of July 13," a brief statement from the Sri Lanka Air Force said earlier on Wednesday.
The beleaguered leader was welcomed by a Maldivian government representative at the Velana airport.
On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan leader's travel plans to Dubai had been impeded after he was caught in a humiliating stand-off with airport immigration staff.
The airport officials withdrew his VIP services, and requested him to go through public counters, reports said.
India Denies Speculation of Aiding Rajapaksa's Travel
The Indian High Commission on Wednesday categorically denied "baseless and speculative media reports" that India facilitated the recently reported travel of Rajapaksa out of Sri Lanka.
PM Wickremsinghe Appointed Acting President
PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the acting president, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abywardena said, citing Article 37 (01) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
Astonishing Visuals From Colombo Protests
People arrives at the official residence of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fourth days after it was stormed by anti government protesters in Colombo in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. The president of Sri Lanka fled the country early Wednesday, days after protesters stormed his home and office and the official residence of his prime minister amid a monthslong economic crisis that triggered severe shortages of food and fuel.
(Photo: PTI)
Sri Lankan protesters storm prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe 's office, demanding he resign after president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled amid economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday.
Tear Gas Shells Fired, Air Patrolling in Colombo
Amid impassioned mass demonstrations, military personnel used tear gas shells against protesters who scaled the wall to enter Sri Lankan PM's residence in Colombo. Shots were fired in the sky to deter the protesters, reports said.
Air patrolling was carried out in the area as well.
US Embassy Cancels Consular Services for 2 Days
In a tweet, the United States Embassy in Colombo announced that it was cancelling its Wednesday afternoon services, as well as all consular services on Thursday 'out of an abundance of caution'.
Indefinite Nationwide Emergency in Sri Lanka
An indefinite nationwide emergency was imposed by Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was appointed as the acting president on Wednesday.
The protesters, who want Wickremesinghe to resign from office, too, are resuming their demonstrations.
Machine Guns Being Pointed At Us, Says a Protester
Sri Lanka's National Broadcaster Ceases Broadcasting
Sri Lanka’s national television broadcaster, Rupavahini, has now ceased broadcasting, reports said.
National Broadcaster Rupavahini On Air Again
Sri Lanka's national television channel resumed broadcasting after a brief halt in operations, as Colombo saw intensifying anti-government protests.
Protesters Take Over PM's Office
Protesters have entered and taken over the premises of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office in Colombo. They raised the national flag atop the building, news agency ANI reported. Over 30 people were injured and hospitalised during the protest.
'President Gotabaya Will Resign Today': Speaker
Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will resign today as promised. A new president will be elected on 20 July, according to Sri Lanka's NewsWire.
'Restore Order': Wickremesinghe Tells Military, Police
PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently the acting president, has asked the military and police to 'restore order,' NewsWire reported.
Accusing the protesters of resorting to fascism, he added that the emergency rule and curfew will be in place to restore normalcy in the country.
'Maintain Peace, Act With Restraint': Catholic church Archbishop Cardinal
Sri Lanka's Catholic Church Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on Wednesday appealed for peace and requested all parties to act with restraint. He warned that external forces could intervene in the country's internal affairs during this vulnerable situation.
Cardinal Ranjith also called for the people to remain as they are, and to support the ongoing struggle, News First reported.
'Arrest Those Rioting': Wickremesinghe
PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently the acting president, has ordered the security forces to arrest people acting in a riotous manner.
Over 120 Sri Lanka-Bound Planes Diverted
As the situation in the crisis-ridden country continues to escalate, over 120 Sri Lanka-bound planes have been diverted to Trivandrum and Kochi in Kerala, NDTV reported.
Speaker Calls for Emergency Party Meet
Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has called for an emergency party leaders meeting at 5.00 pm there on Wednesday, 13 July, according to NewsWire.
Protests Against Gotabaya Erupt in Maldives
Sri Lankans living in the Maldives are reportedly protesting against the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's arrival in the country, according to NewsWire. They are demanding that Gotabaya, who is currently at a resort in the Maldives, be sent back to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Maldives police have started arresting the protesters.
Maldives National Party 'Unhappy' About Gotabaya Staying There
The Maldives National Party (MNP) on Wednesday, 13 July, expressed "unhappiness" over the Maldivian government's decision to allow Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to travel to the country. The party told news agency PTI that it will move a motion, seeking the explanation from the Solih dispensation.
Gotabaya to Leave for Singapore
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who left for Maldives earlier, will leave for Singapore later on Wednesday, 13 July, according to Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror.
'Cooperate, Maintain Order': Defence Staff Chief Tells People
Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, in a special statement, has requested people to cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order until a new president is elected, NewsWire reported.
"We have requested political leaders to decide the way forward till a new president is sworn in and notify us and the public by this evening," Silva said, according to Reuters.
Lanka IOC to Maintain Separate Fuel Stock for Ambulances
Lanka IOC, which is a subsidiary of the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation, has asked all its 216 petrol pumps in Sri Lanka to maintain a separate fuel stockpile for supply to ambulances in the crisis-hit nation.
The company is operating all its petrol pumps normally and is provisioning to meet the increased rush, Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta told news agency PTI.
Military Calls for Political Resolution to Maintain Order
The Sri Lankan military, amid flaring unrest in the crisis-hit country, has called for a political resolution to maintain law and order, according to PTI. Earlier, Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, had directed the military to arrest those rioting in order to 'restore order'.
'Deeply Pained': Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya
Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya on Wednesday said that he was "deeply pained" to see what his country was going through.
"There are no words to describe how our politicians have completely mis-managed the country," he told PTI in an exclusive interview.
'Indian Govt Should Be More Proactive': Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while commenting on the Sri Lanka crisis, said that the Indian government should deal with the situation more "proactively.."
"There may be a refugee influx because northern part of Sri Lanka is close to south Indian states," he said, according to news agency ANI.
He further said that he will "propose an all-party meet" to the Centre to discuss the situation.
'Don't Follow Orders by Acting President': Former Army Commander to Tri-Forces
Former Sri Lankan Army Commander and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has appealed to the tri-forces to refrain from following orders issued by Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He urged the forces not to use their weapons against innocent citizens and instead use them against corrupt politicians.
He added that Wickremesinghe has identified himself as the acting president and the directives issued by such a person are against the Constitution.
Party Leaders To Call for PM's Resignation Before Prez
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party leaders have decided to call for Prime Minister and Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s resignation ahead of the President Gotabaya’s resignation, TNA MP MA Sumanthiran said, according to NewsWire.
'We Don't Support Anarchy,': Bar Association
Sri Lanka's Bar Association, in a statement, said that it is deeply disturbed by the occupation of Acting President Wickremesinghe's office.
"While we continue to uphold the rights of peaceful protests, it does not support a situation of anarchy," it said.
Sri Lanka's Liberal Fellowship also appealed to the protesters to 'preserve the rule of law'.
'Establish Full Law and Order': Sri Lanka People’s Front
Sri Lanka People's Front aka Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said on Wednesday, "We strongly request the acting President and security forces to immediately establish full law and order in the country and we are ready to support that. Our opinion is that the behaviour of the violent groups facing the country should be taken seriously."
Leaders Ask Speaker To Take Over as Acting President
In an emergency party leaders meeting called by the Speaker, leaders have asked for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down and have asked Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to take over as acting president instead.
1 Dead in Protests Outside PM Office
A 26-year-old protester who was hospitalised after being tear-gassed outside Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office at Flower Road, on Wednesday, 13 July, has died after developing breathing difficulties, DailyMirror reported.
Protesters Break Past First Line of Parliament Barricades
Hundreds of protesters, according to Sri Lanka's DailyMirror, have broken past the first line of barricades set up outside the Parliament. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.
At the all-party meeting held earlier, security forces discussed if force should be used to protect the Parliament. This request, however, was turned down by the leaders present.
Acting Prez Wickremesinghe Asks Speaker to Nominate 'Acceptable' PM
Acting President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to nominate a Prime Minister who is acceptable to both the government and the opposition, NewsWire reported.
'Will Submit Motion Questioning Govt Decision Allowing Gotabaya to Stay': Ex-Maldives Foreign Minister
Former Maldives Foreign Minister, in a video message, said that her party will submit a motion in parliament questioning the government for granting refuge to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's DailyMirror reported.
'Avoid Surrounding Parliament': Ex-Election Commission Chairman
Former Sri Lankan Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya requested the protestors to avoid surrounding the Parliament and the speaker's house.
"I request the youth of the struggle not to be deceived by a so-called leader. The crisis can be solved through the Parliament. Surrounding it is a nod to a military junta," he said, according to NewsWire.
Protesters Surround Speaker's House
Demonstrators in Sri Lanka have surrounded Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena's house, which is within a kilometre of the Parliament. Security forces fired tear gas and water canon to disperse the crowds, according to DailyMirror.
Gotabaya Issues Gazzette Appointing Ranil as Acting Prez
Beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajpaksa issued a gazette appointing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe "to exercise, perform and discharge the powers" of the President with effect from 13 July.
Acting Prez Declares Countrywide Curfew
Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a gazette on Wednesday, 13 July, declaring curfew across the country until 5 am on Thursday.
Over 30 Injured in Parliament Clashes
Over 30 people, involved in clashes outside Sri Lanka's Parliament, were injured and hospitalised, according to NewsWire. An ambulance has also been damaged.
'PM Should Resign': Independent Parliament Group
Sri Lanka's Independent Parliament Group led by Former Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Vasudeva Nanayakkara in a statement requested Prime Minister and Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign, NewsWire reported.