Sri Lanka Live: Acting Prez Ranil Bans President's Flag, Use of 'His Excellency'
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Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Live News Updates: Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while announcing key measures right after he was sworn in on Friday, abolished the president's flag and the use of 'His Excellency' for president.
Earlier on Friday, he had urged all lawmakers to take part in the process to elect a new president, which should finish within seven days. The presidential polls will be held on 20 July, informed the speaker's office.
This comes after Rajapaksa emailed his resignation letter to the speaker on Thursday, 14 July after reaching Singapore.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Supreme Court issued an interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country until 28 July, without the court's permission, reported Daily Mirror.
Sri Lankan army officers stand guard after protesters vacated the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, 14 July.
Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana arrives to address a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Friday, 15 July.
A police officer and an Air Force soldier stand guard inside the prime minister Rail Wickremesinghe's office as protesters prepare to vacate the premise in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, 14 July.
Army soldiers rest on the sidewalk of a barricaded road that leads to the parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, 14 July.
A woman walks past protesters blocking the entrance to presidential secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Friday, 15 July.
Army soldiers stand guard as protesters sleep by the entrance to president's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Friday, 15 July.
Sri Lankan protesters stormed the compound of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe 's office, demanding he resign after president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country amid economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, 13 July.
The Singapore Foreign Ministry said that neither has asylum been granted to Rajapaksa nor has he asked for it
The government of Maldives said in a statement that it had granted diplomatic clearance for a Sri Lankan Air Force jet carrying Rajapaksa and his wife
Wickremesinghe was asked to step down in an emergency all-party meeting on Wednesday, 13 July
The leaders at the meeting demanded that the speaker take over as acting president instead
Country of 22 million people, is under the grip of an unprecedented economic crisis, the worst in seven decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials
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'Diplomatic Clearance Was Provided for Rajapaksa's Jet': Maldives
The Maldivian government said in a statement on Thursday that it had granted diplomatic clearance for a Sri Lankan Air Force jet carrying Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife.
Speaker To Announce Rajapaksa's Resignation on Friday
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena's media secretary Indunil Abeywardena had said on Thursday, 14 July that Rajapaksa's resignation email had been received and that the official statement regarding it would be made on Friday.
"The Speaker wishes to inform that an official statement on this would be made tomorrow (Friday) after the verification process and legal formalities," the secretary said, as per PTI.
'Rajapaksa's Resignation Accepted,' Says Speaker
Sri Lankan Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena formally announced Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation as the country's president.
Wickremesinghe To Be Acting President Until New Leader Elected
In a brief press statement, the speaker said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will serve as president until a new leader is elected.
Parliament To Convene on 16 July, Process To Be Completed in 7 Days
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has urged people to be peaceful and for all lawmakers to take part in the electoral process which should finish within seven days.
The Sri Lankan Parliament will meet on Saturday, 16 July.
“My intention is to conduct the necessary parliamentary affairs to elect a new president as per the provisions of the Constitution as soon as possible. I request all party leaders to extend their support for this purpose,” he said.
Sri Lankan Parliament to meet on Saturday
Sri Lanka's Parliament will meet on Saturday after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa officially resigned, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has announced.
New President to be Elected on 20 July: SLPP MP
"We've decided on a schedule to select the next President. After receiving the nominations, a new President will be decided upon on Wednesday after voting," said MP Gevindu Kumaratunga of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
Ranil Wickremsinghe Sworn in as Acting President
Ranil Wickremesinghe has been sworn in as Acting-President by Sri Lankan Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
China Will Agree to $4 Billion Aid for Sri Lanka ‘At Some Point’: Official
Sri Lanka is continuing negotiations with China for as much as $4 billion in aid and is confident Beijing will agree "at some point," Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing Sri Lanka's ambassador to China.
Colombo is asking China for a loan of US$1 billion to repay an equivalent amount of Chinese debt coming due this year, Palitha Kohona told Bloomberg.
Forensic Team Examines Damage in Presidential Palace
Forensic teams in Sri Lanka took stock of the damage inside the Presidential Palace in Colombo after protesters completely dispersed from the premises, reported ANI.
Sri Lankan Presidential Palace in Colombo lies ransacked, with its interiors and furniture damaged after it was stormed by protesters earlier this week.
Will Ensure All MPs Exercise Their Free Will To Elect New Prez: Ranil Wickremesinghe
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that all steps will be taken to allow MPs to exercise their free will to elect a new president on July 20 and thereby work towards upholding the constitution, reported Daily Mirror.
He said, "There are certain groups which are out to inflict undue influence on MPs on 20 July when they vote to elect a new President. There, all steps will be taken to ensure their security."
Mahinda & Basil Rajapaksa Prevented From Leaving Lanka
The Supreme Court has issued an interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country without court's permission until 28 July, reported Daily Mirror.
Sri Lanka Ruling Party to Support Wickremesinghe in Prez Election
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to extend support to Interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Parliamentary vote to elect a new president on 20 July.
'We Support Sri Lanka's Democratic Aspirations': India, US
India's Ministry of External Affairs has said that it "supports an early political solution in Sri Lanka" through democratic means and a constitutional framework."
Moving forward, India’s support and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka will continue, the ministry's spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Colombo has urged all parties in Sri Lanka to "work together, ensure the rule of law is upheld, and find solutions to the economic crisis."
President's Flag Abolished, ' His Excellency' Not to Be Used
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was officially sworn in to the post on Friday, announced that the term 'His Excellency' will no longer be used for the President. While announcing key measures, he also abolished the President's flag "since the country needs only one national flag," NewsWire reported.
He further added that:
Steps are underway to reinstate the 19th Amendment to the Constitution (which dilutes the powers of the Executive Presidency)
Measures are being taken for the new President, who will be elected next week, to present the 19th Amendment to Parliament
Increased security for MPs as there are being pressurised to elect a new president soon
A committee comprising tri-forces and police has been appointed to ensure law and order in the country
All parties have been urged to come to a common consensus on the establishment of an all-party interim government
Speaker Issues Gazette Announcing Gotabaya's Resignation
The speaker has issued a gazette notification on Friday, 15 July, announcing the official resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the president's post.
He had emailed his resignation from Singapore on Thursday and it was accepted on Friday morning.
Acting Prez Visits Injured Soldiers at Hospital
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited soldiers injured during anti-government demonstrations, at the army hospital on Friday, NewsWire reported.
'Will Contest To Be President': Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he will contest for the post of president when nominations are called next week.
“I am contesting to be the president. Electorate is confined to 225 MPs with the GR coalition dominating the numbers. Even though it is an uphill struggle I am convinced that truth will prevail,” he tweeted.