Sri Lanka’s parliament will convene at present (July 16) and start proceedings to elect the subsequent president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the nation earlier than resigning amidst mass protests triggered by grave financial and political turmoil. This is the primary time within the island nation’s historical past that the president shall be appointed by MPs and never by well-liked mandate.
The 225-member parliament will elect the brand new president by a secret vote on July 20, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated on Friday. Never within the historical past of the presidency since 1978 had parliament voted to elect a president. The new president will serve the remaining tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa until November 2024.
Until then, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would be the interim president, though protesters need him gone too. After taking oath as performing president on Friday, Wickremesinghe stated, “I am bound to protect the Constitution,” whereas additionally asserting steps to reassure the general public that the president’s powers had been being curtailed.
READ | Want the whole lot taken from us to be returned, says protester as Sri Lankan disaster deepens
This comes after a deep monetary disaster left Sri Lanka bankrupt and struggling to pay for meals, medication and gasoline and introduced 1000’s of protesters on to the streets, demanding a regime change. While the folks have celebrated Rajapaksa’s exit and the potential of a unity authorities taking cost, the nation’s financial woes are removed from over.
Here’s a glance again at how the disaster in Sri Lanka unfolded:
March 31, 2022: Demonstrators march to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s personal residence to protest over worsening financial situations.
April 3: Gotabaya dissolves the cabinet, which incorporates his youthful brother Basil Rajapaksa as finance minister, however elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa continues as prime minister.
April 9: Protests escalate, with sit-in demonstrations exterior Gotabaya’s workplace geared toward eradicating the president to pave the best way for political reforms.
Burnt autos of pro-government supporters had been set on fireplace through the clashes that erupted in Colombo in May. (Image: Reuters)
May 9: Following widespread clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns. Countrywide violence leaves 9 useless and about 300 injured.
Pro- and anti-government supporters conflict in Colombo. (Photo: AP)
May 10: Defence ministry points shoot-on-sight orders however protesters defy curfew.
June 27: Fuel gross sales suspended aside from important companies as monetary disaster deepens.
July 9: Hundreds of protesters storm the presidential palace, Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees residence. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s house is torched. Protesters announce they may occupy key authorities buildings till each step down. Photos of civilians swimming within the pool on the president’s residence, utilizing the health club and so forth create a sensation internationally.
Colombo, Sri Lanka proper now. The Presidential Palace has been stormed, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is claimed to have fled. Unbelievable scenes. Live reviews on @IndiaToday: https://t.co/p6JV6FzCub pic.twitter.com/8zlJdBfN2P
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) July 9, 2022
July 9: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa informs the parliamentary speaker that he plans to step down on July 13. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says he’s prepared to resign too.
July 12: Gotabaya’s brother and former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa makes an attempt to go away the nation however is prevented by immigration officers and passengers.
July 13: Gotabaya flees Sri Lanka for the Maldives, accompanied by spouse and private safety element. Protesters storm the PM’s workplace in outrage and demand the 2 leaders’ resignation.
July 14: Gotabaya flies to Singapore from the place he mails his resignation from the put up of president.
Protesters increase slogans as they rejoice Goatabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation (Reuters picture)
July 15: Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena proclaims that Rajapaksa’s resignation has been formally accepted and new president shall be elected within the subsequent week. Ranil Wickremesinghe takes oath as performing president.
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