Fresh protests brewing amid Sri Lankan president fleeing country

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka continues to face a severe fuel shortage, with long queues for petrol and diesel across the country.

News Agency of Nigeria • July 13, 2022

Sri Lanka President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Fresh protests are underway in Sri Lanka to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, hours after embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife fled the country to the Maldives on a military flight on Wednesday morning.

More than 3,000 protesters were outside the prime minister’s office in Colombo, near the premier’s residence burnt down on Saturday, close to the state-run TV and radio stations.

The prime minister’s office said he was considering declaring a curfew and a state of emergency but would not be able to do so until sworn in as acting president.

However, police were seen firing teargas to push the protesters back, but they resisted.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Air Force confirmed in a statement that they had provided an aircraft for the president’s departure after receiving approval from the defence ministry.

Airport sources in the Maldives confirmed that Mr Rajapaksa landed in the capital Malé and was transferred to an undisclosed location.

Mr Rajapaksa is expected to step down following months of protests in Sri Lanka over his failure to address an unprecedented economic crisis in the island nation.

He officially notified Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena of his intention to resign on Wednesday, but his letter of resignation has not been received.

The president’s resignation will pave the way for Mr Wickremesinghe to be sworn in as acting president until a vote is held among the 225 parliament members on July 20 to elect a new head of state.

However, anti-government protesters are opposed to the elevation of Mr Wickremesinghe to the presidency, considering him an ally of Mr Rajapaksa, and have called for his resignation.

If he does not step down, protesters have threatened to call for a general strike and further protests from Thursday.

Mr Rajapaksa chose Mr Wickremesinghe to become prime minister when his predecessor resigned on May 9.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka continues to face a severe fuel shortage, with long queues for petrol and diesel across the country.

(dpa/NAN)

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