Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 13 (ANI): Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday declared an emergency and imposed a curfew in the western province of the country as protests intensified following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s escape to the Maldives. A state of emergency was declared as protesters came prepared to face tear gas shelling by security forces deployed outside Wickremesinghe’s residence. Air patrolling also began around the PM’s residence.

Wickremesinghe also ordered the security forces to arrest those acting in a riotous manner, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

Military personnel used tear gas shells to disperse protestors who scaled the wall to enter the Sri Lankan PM’s residence in Colombo. “We want the PM to resign because as per our constitution if the President resigns, the PM becomes the acting President. People want both of them to leave. Police took action by tear gas shelling. Army troops moved in,” said a former advisor to the Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs ministry.

Sri Lankan authorities today confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had flown to the Maldives with his wife and two bodyguards after full approval of the country’s Defence Ministry. Early today, Gotabaya landed at the Velana International Airport in Male on a Sri Lankan Air Force plane. The Prime Minister’s Office also confirmed the development.

Shortly afterward, the crisis-hit island country’s Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that he is yet to receive a letter of resignation from Gotabaya. “We haven’t received President Gotabaya’s resignation yet, but we hope to get one in a day,” Abeywardena told ANI.

The 73-year-old had gone into hiding after crowds of protestors stormed his residence on July 9 and he had announced that he will resign on July 13. The country is facing a severe shortage of fuel and other essential supplies. (ANI)

Hope that interim PM, President appointed soon: Former Sri Lankan minister

Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 13 (ANI): Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country without signing his resignation, said former cabinet minister Patali Champika Ranawaka on Wednesday as he expressed hope that an interim prime minister and the president will soon be appointed.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Patali Ranawaka said, “He (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) left the country without signing his resignation letter. The speaker and the whole country would hope that he would send his resignation properly so that according to the constitution, the prime minister can be the interim President. And within next week’s time, we can elect the president of Sri Lanka for the remaining period of this president’s five-year term on July 20 through the secret ballot in the Parliament.”

Answering a question on who would be the next President, Ranawaka said, “There are two opinions. One, the PM and President for this interim period should be. And they are not going to run for office for the next term. Basically, they will be caretaker PM and President.” “The other opinion is that two main parties — the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and their splinter groups are planning to put forward their candidates,” he added. According to Champika Ranawaka, Sajith Premadasa already showed his intention to contest this election.

Sri Lankan Opposition leader Premadasa calls meeting regarding President’s candidature

Colombo [Sri lanka], July 13 (ANI): Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa has called a meeting on Tuesday regarding his candidature for the post of the country’s President. Several Members of Parliaments (MPs) from other parties also attended the meeting including Independent MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa.

Regarding Premdasa’s candidature for the President’s post, Yapa said that he is not bad but we are here to get consensus from all the parties before announcing the president face in the country. “We’re meeting to get an idea on how to elect the next president of the country. Many parties are discussing to create a consensus. It’s important to achieve it. Sajith Premadasa was 2nd in the last elections so we spoke to him,” Independent MP Yapa said.

Earlier on Monday, opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) unanimously decided to nominate Sajith Premadasa for the interim president’s post. SJB said that the party secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara submitted the proposal and it was seconded by party chairman Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka at the parliamentary group held this afternoon, reported Newswire. SJB has nearly 50 MPs in Parliament and to win a Parliament vote they need the support of 113 MPs.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said that he is ready to protect the motherland and build the country’s economy, reported News 1st. In a statement to the media, Sajith Premadasa said that the opposition is ready to lead the program of stabilizing the country and building the country’s economy. The opposition leader said that there is no alternative solution other than the appointment of the government led by a new President and the Prime Minister. Sri Lankan party leaders have decided to elect a new President on July 20 through a vote in Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said today.

He said it was decided to convene Parliament this Friday (15) and inform the House that there is a vacancy for the Presidency according to the provisions of the Constitution, reported Daily Mirror.
“Nominations for the presidency will be called for on July 19 and a vote will be taken on July 20 to elect a new President,” he said. (ANI)