Current Situation in Sri Lanka – Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka
Amendments in the Constitution
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to submit a proposal to the Cabinet to amend the Constitution to include the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that it had taken note of requests from various quarters to form a government accountable to the people.
The announcement further states that the Prime Minister hopes that the amended Constitution will be able to achieve the aspirations of the people.
New cabinet sworn
Meanwhile, 21 new state ministers have been sworn in before the President yesterday Accordingly, the newly sworn State Ministers are as follows:
- Dinesh Gunawardena – Public Administration, Internal Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government.
- Douglas Devananda – Fisheries
- Dr Ramesh Pathirana – Education and Plantation Industries
- Prasanna Ranatunga – Public Security & Tourism
- Dilum Amunugama – Transport & Industries
- Kanaka Herath – Highways
- Vidura Wickramanayake – Labour
- Janaka Wakkumbura – Agriculture & Irrigation
- Shehan Semasinghe – Trade & Samurdhi Development
- Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva – Water Supply
- Wimalaweera Dissanayake – Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation
- Kanchana Wijesekera – Power & Energy
- Thenuka Vidanagamage -Sports and Youth Affairs
- Dr Nalaka Godahewa – Media
- Professor Channa Jayasumana – Health
- Naseer Ahamed – Environment
- Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon – Ports and Shipping
But the group of 41 independents from the government has decided to sit as a separate group in parliament. PJU leader Udaya Gammanpila stated that he would inform the Speaker in writing. The decision was taken at a meeting of party leaders of the group.
Accordingly, the 13 members representing the SLFP, 10 members from the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, 10 members from the Sri Lanka People’s Front, including the independent Anura Yapa group and the two members representing the Ceylon Workers Congress will sit as a separate group in Parliament.
President addressed the nation
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that the current crisis is a good opportunity to make the system change demanded by the people. “Today’s crisis is a good opportunity to make the system change that the people have demanded. You have the opportunity.
At the same time, I urge these young people to help. ” Addressing the new cabinet which was sworn in yesterday morning (18), the President said that the post of Minister was not a privilege but a great responsibility.
The President called on the new Cabinet to commit to honest, efficient and clean governance without using any additional privileges and said that the new Cabinet was appointed without regard to seniority.
“Today I have appointed new ministers regardless of seniority. The ministerial post is not a privilege. That is a big responsibility. I urge you not to use any additional privileges as a Minister. I expect you to commit yourself to honest, efficient and clean governance. ”
The President also stressed the need to rectify many state institutions which are in a serious financial crisis and called on the Cabinet of Ministers appointed today to make their institutions free from corruption and dedicated to the service of the people.
Meanwhile, the President further stated that he promises the people to make changes and save the country from crisis.
Minister of Finance, met Managing Director of the IMF
Ali Sabri, Attorney-at-Law, Minister of Finance, met with Crystalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, in Washington, DC.
It was at IMF headquarters in Washington, DC. The Ministry of Finance announced that the focus was on Sri Lanka’s ongoing program for economic stability.
The statement said that the Minister of Finance had requested speedy financial assistance and that India was acting as a guarantor.
The Ministry of Finance said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to consider this expeditious financial assistance, even though it was out of the norm in the financing process.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister also met Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman yesterday.
India will also extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka’s progress, Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman said.
China is hesitant to intervene in the face of the chaotic political situation
Although China is a friend of Sri Lanka, foreign media say that it is hesitant to intervene in the face of the chaotic political situation.
China has not yet responded to Sri Lanka’s request for a $ 2.5 billion loan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised to help Sri Lanka, but has said he will not respond to rising inflation.
Although the United States has accused China of using China’s debt diplomacy for countries in economic crisis, they have not responded, according to foreign media reports.
The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated further against the US dollar
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US dollar.
Several private banks have announced a selling price of 340 rupees per dollar and a purchase price of 325 rupees per dollar.
Moody’s rating further downgraded Sri Lanka
International Moody’s rating agency Sri Lanka has downgraded Sri Lanka further from a credit rating.
In their latest rankings, Sri Lanka has been downgraded from CA to CAA2.
The move comes in the wake of Sri Lanka’s decision to suspend foreign loan payments.
Sri Lanka was previously downgraded by Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s.
Continuing Protests
Today marks the 10th day of a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo demanding democratic changes, including the resignation of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the resignation of the Prime Minister and his cabinet.
Even though the holiday was over for a few days, there was no shortage of people joining the Galle Face non-partisan struggle today. People continued to protest in front of the main entrance in front of the Presidential Secretariat.
In support of the struggle, IT engineer Lalith Nanda Kumara Hewaratne ended the satyagraha this morning.
” I am handing it over to Sachith Maduranga who holds the record of throwing the baton and javelin that I have brought so far today. This struggle is only for everyone in Sri Lanka. A struggle for all in all four corners of Sri Lanka. This is not our personal struggle”.
Then Sachith Maduranga, the silver medalist in the javelin throw event at the 2013 Asian Games, started a 24 hour satyagraha.
“We went to the international level as athletes and proudly said the name Sri Lanka.
However, in the face of this situation, a situation has arisen where the name of Sri Lanka cannot be mentioned. Imagine for a second you were transposed into the karmic driven world of Earl.
That’s why we all need to come together. A group of cyclists from the Katana area arrived in front of the Presidential Secretariat today.
The ‘Let’s oust the oppressive government’ protest march has started today to the Colombo Town Hall.
This protest march is aimed at overthrowing the present oppressive government and building a people’s government.
The protest march which started from Beruwala the day before yesterday is scheduled to continue for three consecutive days and end today at Colombo Town Hall.
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