Sri Lanka Crisis Highlights: Lankan President Asks Opposition To Join Government

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: The South Asian nation is facing severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials — along with record inflation and crippling power cuts

New Delhi: A new Sri Lankan Cabinet is expected to be sworn in on Monday as part of the government’s bid to tackle the raging public anger against the ongoing economic hardships.

Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has invited the opposition to join a unity government as protests demanding his resignation spread across the island.

The South Asian nation is facing severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials — along with record inflation and crippling power cuts — in its most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.

President Rajapaksa declared a nationwide state of emergency late on Friday, in the face of growing public unrest. He said the decision was taken in the interests of public security, the protection of public order, and to ensure the maintenance of supplies and essential services.

Here are the Highlights on the Sri Lanka Crisis:

Sri Lankans stage protest against government at Independence Square in Colombo

Sri Lankans on Monday staged a protest at Independence Square in Colombo against the government of Sri Lanka and voiced their demand for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Fatima, one of the protestors and a writer said, “We are protesting as we want our President to step down. Our economy has collapsed. We have no food to eat. We do not have cash. We do not have power.”

India providing financial package to Sri Lanka to help stabilise its economy

As Sri Lanka has been going through a severe economic crisis, India is providing a financial package to Colombo so that it can meet some of the more immediate needs and help stabilise its domestic economy.

Emergency rule has been declared in the island nation of Sri Lanka after anti-government protests turned violent. Sri Lanka has been going through a severe economic crisis caused in some measure by a shortage of foreign exchange resulting in lengthy power cuts, price spirals and a shortage of essential items.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday named at least four ministers, to maintain legitimacy and stability of Parliament and other functions of the country until a full Cabinet is appointed.

Sri Lankan people in distress amid political instability, economic crisis

People in Sri Lanka expressed uncertainty and demanded a new leader in the country amid the ongoing political instability and economic crisis in the country.

Charles, a shopkeeper in Colombo, demanded a new leader in the country. He said, “We need a proper leader in our country. We are not happy with the ruling government.”

He further said that the ruling government doesn’t care about them.

Sri Lanka opposition leader urges PM Modi to help nation, amid economic crisis

Undergoing a huge economic crisis and turmoil, Sri Lankan Opposition leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Sajith Premadasa on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help their nation to the maximum possible extent.

Speaking to ANI, the Opposition leader said, “Please try and help Sri Lanka to the maximum possible extent. This is our motherland and we need to save it.”

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sri-lanka-crisis-live-updates-sri-lankan-cabinet-resigns-amid-worsening-economic-crisis-2860841?amp=1&akamai-rum=off