2 years ago
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is willing to resign after crisis worsened in the island nation.
Earlier, thousands of protesters broke police barricades and entered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence.
Protesters wearing helmets and waving Sri Lankan flags broke into the President's residence, local TV news NewsFirst reported. The police removed the curfew after challenge from opposition parties, rights activists and the bar association
A top government source told NDTV that the President has been shifted to Army Headquarters last night.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Sri Lanka Crisis:
US urges Sri Lanka leaders to work 'quickly' to address 'discontent'
The United States on Sunday urged Sri Lankan leaders to act quickly to seek long-term solutions after the president was chased from his residence and announced his resignation.
Any new government should "work quickly to identify and implement solutions that will achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lankan people's discontent," a State Department spokesperson said as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Thailand.
The United States on Sunday urged Sri Lankan leaders to act quickly to seek long-term solutions after the president was chased from his residence and announced his resignation.
Any new government should "work quickly to identify and implement solutions that will achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lankan people's discontent," a State Department spokesperson said as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Thailand.
Protestors continue to occupy Sri Lanka President's house and office.
Just in: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 13.
Sri Lanka Protests Reach Cricket Fences During Galle Test Against AustraliaHundreds of people climbed the walls of the scenic Galle Fort in the morning session of the second Test for a protest condemning President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for mismanagement of the country's finances
Protesters Attack Prime Minister's House, Set It On Fire
Angry protesters attacked the Prime Minister's house and set it on fire. The Prime Minister's Office said a mob broke into the Wickremesinghe's private residence and set it on fire and damaged vehicles belonging to him.
The Prime Minister earlier said he is willing to resign to make way for an all-party government.
PM Wickremesinghe Expresses Regret Over Attack On Journalists
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed grave regret over the assault on journalists who were covering the protests in the crisis-hit nation.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said, "Freedom of media is paramount to Democracy in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister requests both the security forces and the protesters to act with restraint to prevent any violence and ensure the safety of the public."
According to reports, four journalists with Sri Lanka's NewsFirst news channel were beaten by the police.
Four Journalists with Sri Lanka's NewsFirst news channel were beaten by the police.
I wholeheartedly condemn the brutal inhuman attack on @NewsFirstSL journalists by police officers stationed to protect @RW_UNP. SHAME ON YOU, illegitimate Prime Minister.
- Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) July 9, 2022
Demonstrations Outside Prime Minister's House, Police Fire Tear Gas
Minutes after Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that he is willing to resign as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, demonstrations were held outside his residence.
The police fired tear gas on demonstrators who were protesting outside his house.
Willing To Resign, Says Sri Lanka's Prime Minister After Crisis Worsens
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is willing to resign after the party leaders' meeting and make way for an all-party government to take over.
The Prime Minister's Office said, he is taking this decision in view of the fact that island-wide fuel distribution is due to recommence this week and the World Food Program Director is due to visit the country this week and the Debt Sustainability report for the IMF is due to be finalised shortly.
Speaker Writes To PM, President To Resign After Urgent Party Leaders Meet
An urgent party leaders meeting was held at the Speaker's residence after crisis worsened in Sri Lanka. The Speaker has written to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after overwhelming requests.
The Prime Minister has refused to resign at the emergency meeting of party leaders.Correction to my earlier tweet on consensus to ask PM and President to resign. No consensus as PM disagrees. Speaker however decided to write to President and PM to resign as per overwhelming request.
- Rauff Hakeem (@Rauff_Hakeem) July 9, 2022
2 Sri Lankan Navy Ships Leave Colombo Port Amid Protests
The Harbour Master confirmed that two Sri Lankan Navy ships SLNS Sindurala and SLNS Gajabahu left from the Colombo Port amid protests in crisis-hit Sri Lanka.
Protesters broke into Gotabaya Rajapaksa's house, a top government source told NDTV that the President was shifted to the Army Headquarters last night.
Several Sri Lankan Military Personnel Join Protesters Against President
For the first time, several Sri Lankan military personnel joined protesters against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Protesters broke police barricades and entered Sri Lankan President's official residence.
According to reports, protesters were cooking food in the kitchen at Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence. Earlier visuals emerged where protesters were seen swimming in the pool in the President's residence.
16 MPs From President Rajapaksa's Party Request His Immediate Resignation
Sixteen MPs from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna have requested an immediate resignation of the President.
The crisis has worsened in the island nation after the protesters broke into Rajapaksa's official residence. According to sources, the President was shifted to the Army Headquarters last night.
Visuals have emerged showing a group of protesters entering the swimming pool inside the President's house.
Protesters Enter Swimming Pool In President's Residence
Protesters broke police barricades and entered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence.
Visuals have emerged which show protesters with Sri Lankan flags entering the swimming pool in President's residence. They were seen jumping and swimming in the pool.
Protesters Forced Railway Authorities To Operate Trains To Colombo: Officials
Protesters forced railway authorities in Sri Lanka to operate trains to Colombo for a rally on Saturday, officials said.
The police withdrew the curfew that placed after challenge from the opposition parties, rights activists and the bar association.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Calls Emergency Party Leaders Meeting
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has summoned an emergency Party Leaders meeting to discuss a resolution to the situation in the country. He is also requesting that the Speaker summons Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office said.
