Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's PM Mahinda Rajapaksa offered his resignation amid the nation's worst economic crisis since independence. PHOTO: AFP.

Dozens of paramilitary troops with riot shields and helmets were deployed to keep both groups apart after the initial clashes. “Therefore, I have tendered my resignation so the next steps can be taken in accordance with the Constitution.” We are struggling to keep our businesses afloat.” “Banks don’t have sufficient dollars for us to open lines of credit and we cannot go to the black market. His departure came during a day of chaos and violence which culminated in police imposing a curfew across the country. “A few moments ago, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” the statement said.

Sri Lankan police imposed a curfew on Monday after clashes between rival political camps, as anger builds over the island's worst economic crisis since ...

"What we want is for the president and his family to go," Kumudesh said in a statement. The defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday that anti-government demonstrators were behaving in a "provocative and threatening manner" and disrupting essential services. On Friday, the government imposed a state of emergency granting the military sweeping powers to arrest and detain people after trade unions brought the country to a virtual standstill hoping to pressure the Rajapaksas to step down.

Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy and now facing its worst economic crisis since independence, with acute shortages of food, fuel and other essentials.

Protests soon broke out across the country, fuelled by a further shortage of life-saving medicines. But it was told its progress would depend on negotiations on debt restructuring with creditors. The capital was placed under curfew and a state of emergency was declared the following day. Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy and now facing its worst economic crisis since independence, with acute shortages of food, fuel and other essentials. In a country where limes cost 240% more than they did last year, and with a looming economic and food crisis, protests continue to play out between those demanding the government resign and those in support of it. What's happening in Sri Lanka? Country facing worst economic crisis and on the brink of bankruptcy

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan authorities imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the army on Monday (May 9) after dozens of people were hospitalised when government ...

"You cannot chase us from standing with our people." Advertisement Officials said that the army riot squad was called in to reinforce police. Advertisement Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa later resigned on Monday, his spokesman said. Advertisement

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday, following weeks of protests against his government.

Dozens of paramilitary troops with riot shields and helmets were deployed to keep both groups apart after the initial clashes. "Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating, irrespective of political allegiances," President Rajapaksa said in a tweet. We are struggling to keep our businesses afloat." Armed troops have been deployed in Colombo, according to CNN team on the ground. "A few moments ago, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa," the statement said. A nationwide curfew was imposed after clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling party and anti-government demonstrators in the capital city Colombo, the police said Monday. The restrictions were announced shortly before Rajapaksa announced his resignation.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday (May 9) after dozens of people were hospitalised when his supporters armed with ...

Rajapaksa had addressed some 3,000 supporters at his house and pledged he would "protect the interests of the nation." The resignation of the prime minister automatically means the Cabinet stands dissolved. "I am resigning with immediate effect so that you will be able to appoint an all-party government to guide the country out of the current economic crisis," the prime minister said in the letter, seen by AFP.

Sri Lanka has imposed a nationwide curfew as clashes erupted between government supporters and citizen protesters demanding the premier and his brother, ...

A central bank press conference scheduled for Monday afternoon was also canceled after the curfew was imposed in Colombo. Local news reports also said the military was called out in Colombo to quell the violence. Similar scenes played out in front of the city’s waterfront promenade where for weeks citizens have lined up peacefully to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

COLOMBO: A legislator from Sri Lanka's ruling party shot dead an anti-government protester and then took his own life during a confrontation outside the ...

"Thousands surrounded the building and he then took his own life with his revolver." "The MP fled the scene and took refuge at a nearby building," a police official told AFP by telephone. Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically wounded two people blocking his car in the town of Nittambuwa, police said, adding that one of the victims died of his injuries.

The brother of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned as premier on Monday as weekslong protests over Asia's fastest inflation turned violent, ...

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Monday (May 9) after dozens of people were hospitalised when his supporters armed with ...

Rajapaksa had addressed some 3,000 supporters at his house and pledged he would "protect the interests of the nation." The resignation of the prime minister automatically means the Cabinet stands dissolved. "I am resigning with immediate effect so that you will be able to appoint an all-party government to guide the country out of the current economic crisis," the prime minister said in the letter, seen by AFP.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has tendered his resignation amid an economic crisis and violent protests against he and his brother, ...

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Sri Lanka's prime minister resigned on Monday to make way for a unity government that would try to find a way out of the country's worst economic crisis in ...

"Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating, irrespective of political allegiances," President Rajapaksa said in a tweet. The houses of at least two mayors were also set on fire, police sources told Reuters. Local media reported as many as 150 were injured throughout the day. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has tendered his resignation amid an economic crisis and violent protests against he and his brother, ...

The prime minister's resignation also came hours after some of his supporters attacked peaceful protesters who had been camped out in front of government offices. He previously served as president for a decade, and prime minister twice. Despite the curfew, protesters rallied late into the night at Colombo's Galle Face seafront, cheering Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation and calling for his brother Gotabaya to do the same. But President Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains in power, and has repeatedly refused to step down. The Rajapaksa brothers have been the focus of nationwide protests for several weeks. Local media published an undated copy of what's purported to be his resignation letter.

Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, the brother of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned as premier, as weekslong protests over Asia's fastest inflation ...

Foreign diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka, said they condemned violence against peaceful protesters. Police could be seen using water cannons to disperse the crowds and douse flames. The president has now invited all parties in parliament to join together in a united national government, the statement said. Television footage on Monday showed groups setting fire to tents put up by anti-government demonstrators outside the prime minister’s official residence in Colombo, the capital. Soaring prices of everything from gasoline to essential medicines have kept protests on the boil in Sri Lanka, which is close to bankruptcy and has suspended payments on foreign debt. But it’s unclear if the prime minister’s resignation will placate angry citizens, who have called for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down as well.

The south Asian country is the first to buckle under economic pressures compounded by Russia's war on Ukraine, but it won't be the last.

The pandemic and the war had nothing to do with these countries, but have led to a huge increase in borrowing.” The war in Ukraine has led to investors seeking out the haven of the US dollar, pushing down the value of emerging market currencies. “But these are systemic issues and currently there is no way of dealing with them systemically.” Sub-Saharan African countries being carefully watched include Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia. Argentina recently signed a $45bn debt deal with the IMF, but other Latin American countries at risk include El Salvador and Peru. A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week started work with officials in Colombo over a bailout that will include a tough package of reforms as well as financial support. The departure of Sri Lanka’s prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, follows weeks of protest and a deepening crisis.

Key points: Protesters are calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, known as Gota; Government politician Amarakeerthi Athukorala has died ...

"Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting and participating, irrespective of political allegiances," President Rajapaksa said in a tweet. Local media reported as many as 150 were injured throughout the day. The Prime Minister's departure came during a day of chaos and violence, with pro- and anti-government protesters clashing for the first time since the unprecedented wave of demonstrations took hold in late March. "The President will meet with independent and opposition political parties and we expect a new government in the next few days." A nationwide curfew has been imposed, on top of the state of emergency that Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa — the Prime Minister's younger brother, referred to as Gota — declared last week in the face of escalating protests. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister has resigned to make way for a unity government that would try to find a way out of the country's worst economic crisis in history, but protesters say they also want his brother to stand down as President.

Clashes broke out in Sri Lanka on May 9, 2022, after government supporters attacked peaceful anti-government protest sites in Colombo.

“In recent weeks, thousands of Sri Lankans have peacefully protested against corruption and called for accountable governance and respect for human rights,” Ganguly said. The latest state of emergency was imposed on May 6, but the government did not immediately publish the emergency regulations laying out the special powers assumed. Over 150 people have been reported injured and at least five dead in different incidents, including the attack on Galle Face Green, and the government has imposed a nationwide curfew. In Nittambuwa, 50 kilometers from Colombo, police said that Amarakeerthi Athukorala, a government member of parliament, opened fire on protesters blocking his car, wounding one and killing another, then fatally shot himself. (New York) – Clashes broke out in Sri Lanka on May 9, 2022 after government supporters attacked peaceful anti-government protest sites in Colombo, the capital, and elsewhere, Human Rights Watch said today. Witness accounts and video footage show government supporters attacking the protesters with clubs and other weapons and setting fire to tents.

Sri Lanka's street protests over soaring inflation, shortages of food and fuel and lengthy power cuts have shaken President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's hold on ...

Rajapaksa, whose powers were expanded under a 2020 constitutional amendment, has condemned the violence and invited all parties in parliament to join in a national unity government to resolve the crisis. Civil war between the Sinhalese-dominated government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam went on for decades and killed 100,000 people. The finance ministry also said it would expedite talks with the IMF for an aid package. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation as prime minister on May 9 left no government in place to lead talks with the International Monetary Fund for emergency funds to buy food and fuel. Rajapaksa’s opponents have camped out in downtown Colombo, the capital, for weeks to demand his resignation. Making matters worse was Rajapaksa’s pivot in 2021 to organic farming with a ban on chemical fertilizers that triggered farmer protests and saw production of critical tea and rice crops decline.

Colombo, Sri Lanka – With the resignation of Sri Lanka's prime minister and former two-time executive president Mahinda Rajapksa in Colombo on Monday, ...

The public however, has risen sharply against this approach and intensified their calls for the resignation of both the president and prime minister. On May 3, a no-trust motion was submitted in parliament against the Rajapaksa administration. He was defeated in 1977 when the United National Party recorded a landslide victory and returned to parliament in 1989. Large-scale corruption allegations were also leveled against the regime in military purchases during the years of civil war that ended in 2009. Mounting criticism against the government had intensified calls for the collective resignations of all Rajapaksas. But violence erupted in Colombo on Monday when a group of Rajapaksa loyalists attacked protesters camped outside his official residence, Temple Trees, in Colombo. At least three people were killed as violence erupted across the Indian Ocean island.

Mahinda Rajapaksa rescued in a pre-dawn military operation after day of protests in which five people were killed.

The resignation is the latest concession made by the Rajapaksas in the face of protracted anger and protests. However, Monday marked a violent shift in the demonstrations when hundreds of pro-government supporters gathered outside the prime minister’s residence in Colombo and urged Mahinda Rajapaksa not to resign. Other members of the Rajapaksa family who had previously held seats in the cabinet have also stepped down, with the president the only remaining member of the political family still in power. Turmoil began to engulf the country on Monday after violence at a major protest site in Colombo, where pro-government supporters attacked demonstrators and police responded with teargas and water cannon. Therefore, I have tendered my resignation so the next steps can be taken in accordance with the constitution,” he wrote. According to police, another ruling party politician opened fire on protesters in the southern town of Weeraketiya, killing two and wounding five.

Sri Lanka deployed thousands of troops and police Tuesday to enforce a curfew after five people were killed in the worst violence in weeks of protests over ...

Aside from following his brother in resigning, he could appoint a caretaker government -- before then quitting -- deploy the military and police to suppress the protests, or try to wait for them to "die down naturally", Bery told AFP. Under Sri Lanka's political system, even with a new unity government, the president will have the power to appoint and fire ministers as well as judges, and enjoy immunity from prosecution. US Ambassador Julie Chung tweeted that Washington condemned "the violence against peaceful protestors" and called on the Sri Lankan "government to conduct a full investigation, including the arrest & prosecution of anyone who incited violence". "We were hit, the media were hit, women and children were hit," one witness told AFP, asking not to be named. "After a pre-dawn operation, the former PM and his family were evacuated to safety by the army," a top security official told AFP. "At least 10 petrol bombs were thrown into the compound." He had to be rescued in a pre-dawn operation by the military Tuesday after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed his official residence in Colombo overnight, with police firing tear gas and warning shots to keep back the crowd.

Sri Lanka's outgoing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was rescued in a pre-dawn military operation Tuesday, hours after his resignation, as violent clashes ...

The government was recently thrown into disarray when ministers stepped down en masse. "(I) strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting and participating, irrespective of political allegiances," he wrote. Following the chaotic scenes, the government brought in an island-wide curfew, and soon afterwards the Prime Minister, 76, resigned. Dozens of homes were torched across the country amid the violence, according to witnesses CNN spoke to. Some people have died waiting. "It is vitally important for the security forces to fully respect the right to peaceful assembly, and for those responsible for violence to be held to account," Ganguly said.

Troops are on the streets across Sri Lanka after a night of anti-government unrest fuelled by an economic crisis.

You can also get in touch in the following ways: Following Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation, protesters attempted to breach the inner compound of Temple Trees where he was staying along with several loyalists, and set fire to a bus outside the home. Elsewhere in Colombo, tensions remained high. Many protesters are still calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brother of Mahinda, to leave office. Men armed with sticks and rods had established road blocks on the routes leading to and from the airport, and police and security forces - usually a common sight in the area - were nowhere to be seen, reports the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan. As the night went on, mobs of protesters across the country torched houses belonging to the Rajapaksas, various ministers and MPs. This included a house turned into a controversial museum by the Rajapaksas in the family's ancestral village in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka.