Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today declared that he will appoint a new Prime Minister and cabinet this week in the country, which was plunged into chaos after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse stepped down from his post on Monday, nulling the elected government. Struggling with a mammoth economic crisis for weeks, the island nation of 22 million people is currently under curfew. The army and the police have been allowed to shoot at sight those violating curfew.
In an address to the nation this evening, President Rajapakse said to "control the current situation, and prevent the country from heading towards anarchy", he would appoint a Prime Minister and Cabinet this week "that can command a majority in Parliament and can gain the confidence of the people of the country".
"Thereafter, a constitutional amendment will be moved to enact the content of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which will vest more powers with the parliament. The new government's Prime Minister will be awarded the opportunity to produce a new programme and take this country forward," he added.
President Rajapaksa has held talks today with the country's former Prime Minister and current member of parliament, 73-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe. There were two closed-door meetings with Mr Wickremesinghe before and after Mr Rajapaksa delivered the address, government sources said. There is a buzz that an agreement has been reached and Mr Wickremesinghe might be the next Prime Minister as an interim measure.
While the largest opposition party has refused to join any government headed by a member of the Rajapaksa clan, Mr Wickremesinghe heads the United National Party. The present members of principal opposition in Sri Lanka was with UNP before breaking and forming SJB (currently the opposition) before the 2020 general elections.
Sources said discussions are also in progress who will take over after the interim Prime Minister. Several names have been proposed and in the coming days, Mr Rajapaksa will hold meetings to zero in on the right candidate.
The announcement, however, has not quelled the peaceful protests. The protesters are sticking to their demand that the President step down.
Acknowledging that the country is passing through a "very serious crisis", Mr Rajapaksa said he has conducted discussions with various parties and accepted the common proposal for the creation of a new government.
"When appointing the recent cabinet, several senior ministers, and all Rajapaksa's were omitted. A new cabinet with young faces was appointed. I also reached an agreement to dismiss the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet and allow to appoint a new Prime Minister and Cabinet. However, on the 9th of May, an unfortunate event unfolded," he added, referring to the nation's biggest violence that took place on Monday.
As supporters of the Rajapaksa family went on rampage, attacking the anti-government protesters, they hit back, unleashing violence across the country.
"Within a matter of hours, nine people including an MP were inhumanely beaten and killed. Approximately 300 people were hospitalized. Many houses were set on fire. Looting was reported across the country. Curfew was imposed and before the three-armed forces were deployed, the events took place in a very organised manner," the Lankan President said.
The country was placed immediately under curfew, which is expected to be lifted tomorrow.
Sri Lanka has suffered months of blackouts and dire shortages of food, fuel and medicines in its worst economic crisis since independence, sparking weeks of overwhelmingly peaceful anti-government demonstrations.
