Sri Lanka Crisis Live Updates | Protesters withdrew as Speaker accepts Gotabaya’s resignation

After the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa emailed his resignation letter On Thursday night, protesters in the island nation retreated from government buildings they had occupied as the country grapples with a severe economic crisis.

The parliamentary speaker confirmed on Friday morning that Mr Gotabaya’s resignation had been accepted.

Mr. Gotabaya, Who came to power in 2019? On a thumping election victory, fled the country and sought asylum on two other islands, as massive anti-government protests escalated over the past weekend. He was sent to Maldives by Sri Lankan military aircraft early Wednesday. He arrived in Singapore on Thursday evening, the country’s foreign ministry confirmed.

Also read: No peace after storm in Sri Lanka

Mr Gotabaya was allowed to enter Singapore “on a private visit”, the city-state’s foreign ministry said. “He has not sought asylum, nor has he been granted any asylum,” the ministry said.

Due to the delay in receipt of the President’s resignation letter, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abhayawardana’s office said that Parliament would not be convened on Friday, as had been announced.

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Also read: In the latest twist in the see-saw relationship, the Modi government distanced itself from Rajapaksa

Distance from the Rajapaksa family After being ousted from power by angry protesters in Sri Lanka, the government made it clear that it did not extend any support to outgoing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his brother and former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa, and others seeking to flee Sri Lanka. , New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation in Colombo while efforts continue for Sri Lanka’s parliament to elect the next president next week.

The Indian High Commission said it “categorically denies the baseless and speculative media reports that India facilitated the recently reported visit of Mr. Gotabaya Rajapakse and Mr. Basil Rajapakse”. – Suhasini Hydari

9.40 am

Speaker confirms President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has officially resigned, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abbewardene announced Friday morning, ending days of uncertainty as the widely despised leader was displaced from the island by monumental public protests over a dire economic crisis. had fled.

Mr Gotabaya, currently in Singapore, sent his resignation letter by email on Thursday, but the chairman’s office said its authenticity and legitimacy had to be verified before it could be accepted.

8.45 am

Celebration in Colombo after Gotabaya’s resignation

As the news of the resignation spread, crowds gathered near the President’s office to rejoice. Dozens of people danced and cheered and waved the Sri Lankan flag, and two people sang in Sinhalese on a small stage.

The mood was festive, people were hooting and grooving to the music, while others said into the microphone that they wanted better governance.

“It’s too big to be validated like this,” said Viraga Pereira, an engineer who has been protesting since April. “Globally, we have led a movement that toppled a president with minimal force and violence. It’s a mixture of victory and relief.” – AP

14 July

Editorial: On the decline and fall of Gotabaya Rajapaksa

The world has been stunned by the unprecedented display of religious anger and courage by the citizens of Sri Lanka, as they channeled widespread anger against the devastation caused by the economic crisis on their day-to-day existence. As civil society has come together, it is fitting to see this as a revolutionary moment in which a greedy and apathetic political class has been oppressed by suffering united people.

While outside observers see this as a moment of truth for authoritarian leaders, power-hungry politicians and those like them, it remains to be seen whether political leaders in Sri Lanka themselves have learned any lessons from it.

14 July

Gotabaya Rajapaksa sends resignation in Singapore

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sent his resignation letter by email from Singapore on Thursday, the parliamentary speaker’s office said, postponing an official announcement on Friday to verify the “authenticity and validity” of the document.

Once accepted, Mr. Gotabaya’s resignation, taking responsibility for the country’s worst economic downturn since independence in 1948, was a resounding victory for civilian protests demanding “Gota go home”. will signal. The powerful leader was forced to flee and leave. Furious protesters stormed his office and home on Saturday as a deepening crisis engulfed citizens scrambling for essentials, amid acute shortages and hyperinflation.

Mr Gotabaya will be the last of Rajapaksa to resign following his brothers, including former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had previously stepped down in the face of fierce opposition from the ruling clan. – Meera Srinivasani

14 July

China waits on Sri Lanka crisis

China declined to say on Thursday whether it was considering financial aid to Sri Lanka, a study on the unfolding crisis continued silence and what analysts called a “wait and see” approach.

“As a friendly neighbor and cooperative partner, China sincerely hopes that all regions in Sri Lanka can take into account the fundamental interests of the country and the people and the difficulties to restore stability, revive the economy and improve livelihoods.” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

in response to a question from Hindu On whether China is considering responding to Sri Lanka’s requests for financial aid and if talks are on, Mr Wang declined to say whether Beijing was preparing for aid. “China stands ready to work with relevant countries and relevant institutions to help Sri Lanka achieve sustainable development and overcome existing difficulties,” he said. — Ananth Krishnani

14 July

Timeline of events till July 13