As it happened: Sri Lanka crisis — Wickremesinghe, in sixth PM stint, assures end to economic crisis

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Setting several world records, Sri Lanka's veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Indian Ocean island nation, which has been crippled with its worst-ever economic crisis.

Holding the office for a record-breaking 6th occasion, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as PM by his rival party leader and President Gotabaya Rajapaska. He also becomes the world's first premier to run a government with just one seat in the Parliament.

Also read | No interference in anti-president protest: SL PM Wickremesinghe

Ranil Wickremesinghe visits the Walukaramaya Temple after takeing oath as the prime minister at the President's House

Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

The parliamentarian was sworn in as the Prime Minister before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today.

With the backing of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs, Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly accepted the post of Prime Minister.

MP Wickremesingh lost the Parliamentary Elections in 2020 and later entered the Parliament through the single National List seat that was secured by the UNP.

Prior to his appointment as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka today, he has served five times in the post previously.

He served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1993 to 1994, 2001 to 2004, 2015 to 2015 (100 days), 2015 to 2018, and 2018 to 2019.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is the leader of the United National Party since 1994 and has served as the Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2015.
 

Sri Lanka's former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, allies, banned from leaving country

A Sri Lankan court on Thursday banned former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son Namal and 15 allies from leaving the country over acts of violence against anti-government demonstrators.

The magistrate in the capital Colombo also asked police to investigate Monday's mob attacks on peaceful protesters, which led to retaliatory violence that claimed nine lives and caused widespread destruction.

Many Sri Lankans flee Colombo as crisis persists

Many Sri Lankans thronged buses in the main city Colombo on Thursday to return to their hometowns during a brief relaxation in curfew, imposed after the prime minister quit and went into hiding and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa warned of anarchy, reports Reuters.

The island nation off India's southern tip, which overlooks shipping routes between Europe and Asia, is battling its worst economic crisis since independence. Violence erupted on Monday after supporters of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the president's elder brother, attacked an anti-government protest camp in Colombo.

In Pics | Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksas fight for survival as situation worsens

Watch | Sri Lanka: Gotabaya vows to empower parliament, will soon appoint new Prime Minister and cabinet

Watch | Gravitas: Sri Lanka

In a televised address to the nation, Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said "I will name a prime minister who will command a majority in parliament and the confidence of the people."

"I will work to give more powers to parliament and activate the key elements of the 19th amendment to the constitution," Rajapaksa said.

Watch: Sri Lankan singer and songwriter Yohani speaks to WION on Lanka crisis

The Sri Lankan government said the current curfew will be lifted at 7 am on Thursday and will be reimposed at 2pm. It will be again lifted 6am on Friday.

The move comes as the government issued shoot-on-sight instructions to the troops amid large scale violence in the country. A nationwide curfew is in effect with troops patrolling the streets.

The defence chief said the government had asked the military to reinforce police due the "dangerous situation".

Sri Lanka's central bank chief warned that the country's economy could collapse if a new government is not appointed urgently.

"If there is no government in the next two days, the economy will completely collapse and no one will be able to save it," Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

"The country was fast going down a slope when I took over just over a month ago. I thought we were able to apply the brakes, but with events of Monday the brakes no longer work," Weerasinghe added.

The central bank chief's comments come as the country witnessed large scale violence as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned.

Watch: Shoot-on-sight orders in Sri Lanka

Categorically deny speculative reports about sending troops to Sri Lanka: India

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said it fully supports Sri Lanka's democracy, stability and economic recovery.

The denial came after "fake and blatantly false" reports emerged following reports of Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family fleeing to India.

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Watch | Sri Lanka economic crisis: People defy curfew to protest, army given shoot-on-sight orders

Latest updates: 

9 deaths (including two police officers)

41 vehicles set ablaze 

61 incidents of damaged vehicles

136 incidents of causing damage to property were reported during the recent violence that began

Sri Lanka orders 'offensive' to contain riots 

Sri Lankan police have been ordered to go on the offensive and use live ammunition to stop rioting, a top official told AFP Wednesday, after another night of sporadic arson attacks.

Police say eight people have died since Monday, when frustration at the island's dire economic crisis erupted into violence between supporters and opponents of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Even with a curfew imposed and thousands of security forces told to "shoot on sight" to prevent further unrest, a luxury hotel said to belong to a Rajapaksa relative was set ablaze Tuesday evening.

Watch | Shoot-on-sight order in Sri Lanka as crisis intensifies

With Sri Lanka rocked by economic and political crisis, India has made it clear that its policy with Colombo is "guided" by the "best interest of people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes".

The ministry of external affairs in a statement highlighted that "India is fully supportive of its democracy, stability and economic recovery".

The country has seen a full-blown economic crisis as prices of basic commodities sky-rocketed impacting the common man.

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Amid protests in Sri Lanka, authorities have extended curfew till 7 am on Thursday even as the European Union on Tuesday condemned the violence in the island nation.

"The EU calls on the authorities to initiate an investigation into the events and to hold accountable those instigating or perpetrating violence. The EU urges all parties to refrain from violence and to show restraint," the 27-nation bloc said.

Amid large scale protests in the country, Sri Lanka's defence ministry on Tuesday issued shoot-on-sight orders. The move came as fresh protests broke out in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo today.

The armed forces have been ordered to open fire on anyone trying to loot public property or cause harm to others, reports claimed.

Demonstrators continued their protests after after several poeple were injured and at least seven killed in clashes with security forces.

Police had fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds and declared curfew in Colombo.

Sri Lanka has given emergency powers to the military and police to detain people without warrants after clashes with protesters in which at least seven people were killed and 200 injured.

According to the new powers, the military can detain people for up to 24 hours before handing them over to the police.

"Any person arrested by a police officer shall be taken to the nearest police station," police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had declared a state of emergency last Friday as protests escalated.

Watch: Rajapaksa's house torched in night of unrest

The police chief was rescued after reinforcements were sent to the area and warning shots were fired. Tennakoon was responsible for  security arrangements in Colombo.

Earlier, former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa was brought out of his residence by security officials after protesters tried to storm the building overnight.

Lankan authorities said a mob assaulted a top Sri Lankan police officer on Tuesday and set his vehicle on fire.

Reports said senior deputy inspector-general Deshabandu Tennakoon needed "emergency treatment" before returning home.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said: "I am deeply troubled by the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka after supporters of the prime minister attacked peaceful protesters in Colombo yesterday May 9 and the subsequent mob violence against members of the ruling party." 

Sri Lanka enforces curfew after 5 killed in violence

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

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Rajapaksa's residence set on fire, nationwide curfew imposed

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's home in Kurunegala, in the country's northwestern area, was set on fire just hours after he submitted his resignation.

Increased civic unrest and a crippling economic crisis are currently plaguing the country.

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