President Ranil should resign before August 09- the protesters
The non-partisan protesters claim that President Ranil Wickramasinghe should resign before August 9 and go home. Its representative Mr. Susantha Kodithuvakku says that the people are not tired of the protest and that people are waiting for the message from the protest ground. He says that the new president has been elected not by struggle but by a conspiracy and claims that the president who does not have popular opinion hates the people. He further says that an interim government should be brought in very soon and after that, an election should be held. He expresses these views by joining a discussion on an internet channel.
The South Africa-based International Truth and Justice Project filed a complaint to arrest the former president for war crimes
A human rights organization has filed a criminal complaint with the Attorney General of Singapore demanding the arrest of former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. This complaint has been filed about the alleged war crimes that took place during the war in Sri Lanka. The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) filed the complaint, saying he committed serious violations of the Geneva Conventions during the 2009 civil war when he was the country’s defence chief. The South Africa-based ITJP Alliance notes that allegations made based on universal jurisdiction are subject to prosecution in Singapore. He has now gone to Singapore given the strong public opposition to the former President during the crisis in Sri Lanka. Reuters has inquired about this from the High Commission of Sri Lanka located in Singapore and Mr failed to contact the former President for comment. However, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has denied the allegations related to war crimes on many occasions before.
The government has extended the expiry date of the Pfizer vaccine
The government has extended the expiry date of Pfizer the anti-covid vaccines by 03 months which was supposed to expire at the end of this month. The Ministry of Health stated that the expiration date of the vaccines has been extended based on the recommendations of the concerned company and the World Health Organization. Accordingly, the Director General of Health Services has also issued a circular extending the expiry period of more than 07 million Pfizer vaccines belonging to 04 categories that had been imported into Sri Lanka by 03 months.
Diaspora helped to continue the protest- Actress Damita Abeyratne
Actress Damita Abeyratne mentions that the Diaspora helped to continue the protest, Joining a discussion with a weekly newspaper, she points out that the diaspora is our people abroad. People who don’t even know what diaspora means are attacking us. Sinhalese diaspora or Tamil diaspora our people living abroad are called diaspora. Those people helped us to take this Protest. It’s not a favor to me personally. People from abroad as well as in Sri Lanka who have feelings about this helped us. Still doing those things’
Economic crisis in Sri Lanka- The European Union condemns the attack on peaceful protesters while recalling the GSP relief
At present, the use of force against peaceful protesters has received intense international attention and criticism. The European Union issued a statement announcing that it strongly condemns the unnecessary use of force against peaceful protesters. The European Union is a major international organization made up of 27 of the world’s most powerful countries. The statement issued by the European Union indicates the need to uphold the freedom of expression and individual rights of Sri Lankan citizens in a democratic process following the action taken by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to elect Ranil Wickremesinghe as the new President to the presidency left vacant by the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It is emphasized. Focusing on the report of unnecessary violence against protesters, the European Union has condemned the unnecessary use of force against peaceful protesters while stressing the right to peaceful assembly and free expression. In issuing announcements, the European Union indicates that it expects the Government of Sri Lanka to fully comply with GSP Plus commitments.
Political Crisis in Sri Lanka-Immediately stop the illegal use of force against peaceful protesters – Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch requested on President Ranil Wickremesinghe immediately stop using illegal force against peaceful protesters. They further demand the immediate release of the arbitrarily detained protesters. The website further stated that a proper investigation should be conducted regarding this incident and legal action should be taken against those responsible. Human Rights Watch’s South Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguli further emphasizes that the brutal attack by security forces on peaceful protesters in Colombo city centre one day after the President took office was under the President’s supervision. She also points out that the dangerous message of the current government using force instead of law has been given to Sri Lankans through that action. Ms. Meenakshi Ganguli emphasizes that international partners will never support a country that violates the rights of the people.
We are deeply concerned about the repression of the protesters – US Senate Foreign Relations Committee
The US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement on Twitter that they were deeply concerned about attacking the protesters. They request President Ranil Wickremesinghe to work for economic stability along with the democratic aspirations of Sri Lankans. The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US Senate emphasizes that human rights must be protected first.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-All diesel and kerosene plants stopped due to fuel shortage
Kalanitissa Combined Power Plant has been shut down since Friday night due to a lack of fuel. Ceylon Electricity Board spokesperson Andrew Nawamani said that it is not possible to give a date for the re-operation of the Kelanitissa power plant. He said that naphtha or diesel should be provided to generate electricity again in those power plants and added that 1 million litres of diesel are required to power the plant. Several other diesel plants have also been closed due to fuel shortages. At present, other thermal power plants are not operational except the Norochchole coal power plant belonging to the Ceylon Electricity Board. At present, about 40% of the electricity demand in this country is supplied by hydropower and thirty 4% by the coal-fired power plant and the other required amount is supplied by fuel combustion and renewable power plants.
Ranil requested to stop all the aids to Sri Lanka in 2007- Wikileaks reveals old secrets
The WikiLeaks website reveals that the current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, when he was the leader of the opposition in 2007, asked Japan to suspend economic aid to Sri Lanka. The documents also show that Japan responded to the request and stated that the Sri Lankan people should not be punished for the omissions made by the leaders.
A plan to blow up the presidential office? The bomb disposal unit is deployed to search for explosives.
The security department is investigating whether explosives were planted in the Presidential Palace and the Presidential Secretariat. Accordingly, the bomb disposal unit has already been deployed to those two places to check on it. The Colombo Central Police Authority is conducting investigations into this under the supervision of Mr. Roshan Dias. This inspection is being carried out before the resumption of government activities after the Galle face protesters took over the buildings. These investigations are being conducted based on the intelligence received by the security forces.