3 years ago
Colombo:
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa late on Tuesday revoked the emergency rule ordinance that had gone into effect on April 1, even as the government struggled to quell protests amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
In a Gazette notification, Rajapaksa said the emergency rule ordinance would stand revoked as of midnight on April 5.
Earlier in the day, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's ruling coalition lost its majority in parliament on Tuesday after at least 41 lawmakers walked out of the alliance amid growing unrest over an economic crisis
Sri Lanka's opposition yesterday dismissed President Rajapaksa's invitation to join a unity government as "nonsensical" and instead demanded he resigns over the country's worsening shortages of food, fuel and medicines.
Mr Rajapaksa's overture came as armed troops looked to quell more demonstrations over what the government acknowledges is the country's worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.
Every member of Sri Lanka's cabinet except the president and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned late Sunday.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Sri Lanka Crisis:
Apr 05, 2022 23:50 (IST)
Sri Lankan President revokes public emergency
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa late on Tuesday revoked the emergency rule ordinance that had gone into effect on April 1, even as the government struggled to quell protests amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
In a Gazette notification, Rajapaksa said the emergency rule ordinance would stand revoked as of midnight on April 5.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa late on Tuesday revoked the emergency rule ordinance that had gone into effect on April 1, even as the government struggled to quell protests amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.
In a Gazette notification, Rajapaksa said the emergency rule ordinance would stand revoked as of midnight on April 5.
Apr 05, 2022 17:17 (IST)
Students marching up to home of Sri Lanka PM
University students are marching in rain to the home of Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo
University students are marching in rain to the home of Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo
Apr 05, 2022 17:04 (IST)
Sri Lanka temporarily shuts down 3 foreign embassies
Just In | Sri Lanka has temporarily shut down three foreign embassies in Norway, Iraq and Australia
Just In | Sri Lanka has temporarily shut down three foreign embassies in Norway, Iraq and Australia
Apr 05, 2022 15:00 (IST)
Former Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) official P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Monday he had accepted an offer from the country's president to become the bank's next governor amid a deepening economic crisis and unrest.
Apr 05, 2022 14:39 (IST)
Opposition leader Premadasa calls for abolishing Executive Presidential system
Amid the unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has called for abolishing the Executive Presidential system.
"For nearly 20 years every leader promised to abolish the Executive Presidency but only strengthened it," Premadasa said in a strongly-worded speech in parliament on Tuesday reminding the Parliamentarians about the necessity to introduce a new electoral system.
Apr 05, 2022 13:56 (IST)
Sri Lankan bonds slumped after protests against soaring inflation and lengthy power cuts led to a cabinet reshuffle, adding to concern political turmoil will hamper the government's ability to repay its debts in the face of a deepening crisis.
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Apr 05, 2022 13:03 (IST)
Newly-appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry resigns
Sri Lanka's Finance Minister, Ali Sabry, resigned today a day after being sworn in, amid growing public unrest over a worsening economic crisis.
Sri Lanka's Finance Minister, Ali Sabry, resigned today a day after being sworn in, amid growing public unrest over a worsening economic crisis.
Apr 05, 2022 12:53 (IST)
Sri Lanka's ruling coalition loses parliamentary majority amid growing protests
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's ruling coalition lost its majority in parliament on Tuesday after at least 41 lawmakers walked out of the alliance amid growing unrest over an economic crisis, according to parliamentary proceedings.
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Apr 05, 2022 12:00 (IST)
Sri Lanka caught in a 'strategic debt trap'
China has reportedly refused to respond to Sri Lanka's appeal to reschedule its huge debts, and its Ambassador to Sri Lanka said in March that his country was keener on considering a further USD 1 billion loans and USD 1.5 billion credit line.
Apr 05, 2022 11:21 (IST)
As anti-government demonstrations spread across Sri Lanka amid a worsening economic crisis, a man in uniform was spotted supporting the protesters in Kottawa town on Monday.
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Apr 05, 2022 10:49 (IST)
Sri Lankan Police warns protesters not to break law, reviews video footage for making arrests
Sri Lankan police have warned protesters not to take the law in their own hands and said strict action will be taken against those involved in violence during the agitations.
The police arrested several protesters on Monday night and said they are relying on scientific and video footage to nab violators in the coming days.
Apr 05, 2022 10:03 (IST)
Deputy Parliament Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya resigns
Deputy Parliament Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya resigned on Tuesday as the Parliament reconvened for the first time after the state of emergency was declared in the country
Deputy Parliament Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya resigned on Tuesday as the Parliament reconvened for the first time after the state of emergency was declared in the country
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Apr 05, 2022 09:40 (IST)
IMF says monitoring political and economic developments in Sri Lanka 'very closely'
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday that it is monitoring political and economic developments in Sri Lanka "very closely" as public unrest in the island nation grows amid its worst economic crisis in decades.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday dissolved the cabinet and appointed a new finance minister, while also seeking a new central bank governor.
Apr 05, 2022 08:37 (IST)
Anti-govt demonstration continues in Colombo
Several protests are taking place in different parts of Sri Lanka against the Rajapaksa government. A large number of protests gathered on Galle Road in Colombo city today and raised slogans against the government of the island nation.
Apr 05, 2022 08:09 (IST)
Emergency health situation declared in Sri Lanka
An emergency health situation has been declared in Sri Lanka from Tuesday because of the severe drug shortage in the country.
This decision was announced after an emergency general committee meeting of the country's Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) to discuss the imposition of the emergency law and the severe drug shortage, the Daily Mirror reported.
Apr 05, 2022 07:15 (IST)
A massive protest has started near the presidential secretariat of crisis-hit Sri Lanka, blocking the nearby roads the day after the resignation of the entire Lankan cabinet.
Apr 05, 2022 06:52 (IST)
Sri Lanka opposition rejects unity offer, demands president resign
Sri Lanka's opposition on Monday dismissed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's invitation to join a unity government as "nonsensical" and instead demanded he resign over the country's worsening shortages of food, fuel and medicines.
Rajapaksa's overture came as armed troops looked to quell more demonstrations over what the government acknowledges is the country's worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.
