As it happened: Colombo in talks with Russia for supply of fuel

The Sri Lankan Parliament announced that the nominations for the presidential elections will be held on Tuesday and the new President of Sri Lanka will be elected on July 20. 

Standing in solidarity with the people in Sri Lanka, Colombo Expats Cultural Association (CECA) donated dry rations worth SLR 80 million to the Department of Probations and Child Care Services, said the High Commission of India in Colombo.

The aid included 100 days of dry ration (306,500 kgs) for 10,600 children living in 379 orphanages of Sri Lanka. CECA is a multi-cultural organization with more than 160 active members. CECA has carried out many Corporate Social Responsibility Projects to serve the Sri Lankan community.

CECA supplied dry rations to 52 different children`s homes in the Western province during the April - May 2020 lockdown.

The Association also initiated "Santa Returns" last year, a programme to distribute toys and clothes to children`s homes during Christmas. CECA is a vibrant community in Sri Lanka which is comprised of many expats from India, Bangladesh and Nepal. 

Sri Lanka's Parliament held a special session on Saturday to start the process of electing a new president on July 20 following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, with four contenders, including acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe joining the race to head the next government that has the arduous task to revive the country's bankrupt economy.

Sri Lanka's Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to implement an urgent relief programme to provide fuel, gas and essential food items to the public who are struggling due to the economic turmoil.

He has taken this decision following discussions held with Ministers and Members of Parliament on July 16. In addition, it has been decided to use the additional money for this from the relief budget that will be presented in August.

The Acting President advised to speed up the implementation of the food security programme. Special attention was paid to provide fuel and fertilisers regularly and promptly.

Also, during this discussion, plans have been made to prepare the necessary environment for businessmen to run their businesses without any hindrances. Wickremesinghe said during the discussion that the plan handed over by the peaceful protesters has been recognized as a good plan.

Wickremesinghe further said that he will inform the activists about the measures being taken to fight corruption.

Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been sworn in as acting president after his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to Singapore and resigned following months of protests over the country's financial meltdown.

Let's take a look at how cash-strapped Sri Lanka ended up in its worst-ever economic crisis, and what comes next in its complicated, corrupt, and sometimes violent political system.

Read more

The second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan that was scheduled to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium here from July 24-28 has been moved to Galle because of the political unrest in Colombo.

A report in Island Cricket said on Saturday that Galle, which is currently hosting the first Test, will also organise the second match between the two sub-continental sides.

The report quoting Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan de Silva said the boards of the two countries had agreed to the change of venue.

Sri Lanka`s National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake will contest for the President post after the parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena accepted Gotabaya Rajapaksa`s resignation.

Addressing the press, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said that Dissanayake will contest the presidency as the candidate from his party, Daily Mirror reported.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dassanayake officially informed the House that the office of the President has fallen vacant.

Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera on Saturday said that his government is in discussion with Russia for the purchase of fuel amid the raging energy crisis in the country.

Addressing a press conference, Wijesekera lauded the Indian government for giving a credit line for purchasing fuel as the economic crisis continues to affect over 20 million Sri Lankans.

"We have made requests (for fuel) to different countries. So, any country that comes to help us, we appreciate that. Right now, the Indian government is the only country that has provided us with a credit line," said Wijesekera.

"We are in discussion with the Russian Government as well...The initial meetings have taken place in Russia. We have given our requirements and we are working on it. We are waiting to hear what sort of facility will be accommodated to Sri Lanka," he added.

I served my motherland to the best of my ability and I will continue to do so in the future,” former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said, as he defended himself in his resignation letter which was read out during a special session of Parliament on Saturday.

Sri Lanka’s Parliament met briefly to announce the vacancy in the presidency following the resignation of Rajapaksa, who fled to the country on Wednesday after a popular uprising against him for mishandling the country’s economic crisis.

The resignation letter sent by Rajapaksa from Singapore was read during the 13-minute special session.

In his resignation letter, Rajapksa, 73, blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown for Sri Lanka’s economic woes.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has adjourned Parliament till 10 Am on 19 July

The UN mission in Sri Lanka has urged senior politicians to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in line with the national Constitution, following weeks of protests that finally saw the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday.

“The United Nations in Sri Lanka urges all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful transition of power in full respect for the Constitution,” said United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer, in a statement issued on Friday on behalf of the UN in Sri Lanka.

She said it was “imperative that the transition of power is accompanied by broad and inclusive consultation within and outside Parliament”.

Sri Lanka's top court on Friday barred former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country without permission until July 28, anti-corruption group Transparency International Sri Lanka said, reports Reuters.

Three other former officials, including two former central bank governors, also cannot travel outside the country without the court's permission till July 28, the group said in a tweet.

Escaping Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced protests in the Maldives Wednesday with dozens of compatriots urging Male not to provide him safe heaven.

Sri Lankan expatriates carrying flags and placards denounced Rajapaksa, who fled his country early Wednesday after protesters overran his Colombo residence at the weekend over the worsening economic crisis in the South Asian nation.