Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will present his first budget in Parliament later today as the country reels under its worst financial crisis since its independence.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to present 2023 budget today

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday presented the budget in the parliament as the minister of finance after a whirlwind year that saw the country face its worst-ever economic crisis.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday presented the budget in the parliament as the minister of finance after a whirlwind year that saw the country face its worst-ever economic crisis. Sounding optimistic, Wickremesinghe said the Sri Lankan economy can script a turnaround by the end of 2023. The president said economic difficulties had eased in the last few months and that talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were ongoing to achieve economic stability. However, he asserted that economic reforms will not be limited to the IMF agreement. Notably, in September, IMF announced a $2.9 billion bailout package for the island nation after prolonged talks between an IMF team and the Sri Lankan government headed by Wickremesinghe and treasury secretary Mahinda Siriwardana. Through the budget, the government is looking to ensure that the bailout money is quickly dispatched to usher in the reforms. Read more: Sri Lanka and IMF reach staff-level agreement for $2.9 billion bailout loan During the speech, Wickremesinghe attempted to correct the mistakes of his predecessors who tried to close the Sri Lankan market. “I would like to define the new economy that we are going to build as a social market economy or an “open economic system of social Protection”. In this new economy, we focus on the following three main things, an export-oriented competitive economy, an environmentally friendly green and blue economy, and a digital economy.” said Wickremesinghe. WATCH | Sri Lanka economic crisis explained in one minute × The Sri Lankan government expects to achieve high economic growth of 7-8 per cent in the coming year, based on reforms and modernisation. It wants Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of more than $3 billion in the next decade. A presidential committee will also be set up to explore state-sector reforms. Additionally, a proposal has been put forth for the appointment of a revenue authority. Wickremesinghe also appealed to the youth of the country and asked them to take a new approach to build the economy. “To ensure a better future for the youth of our country, let’s create a new economy tailored to meet the expectations of the youth through a new approach that goes beyond traditional protests, struggles, and strikes.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Sri Lanka President announces budget; aims for a turnaround by the end of 2023

An amendment has been passed that aims to strengthen anti-corruption safeguards until help find the way out of Sri Lanka's financial crisis. The country has been reeling with political and economical turmoil. Sri Lankans accused the former President Rajapaksa for the crisis.

Sri Lanka parliament passes amendment; Opposition parties slam it

The island government has now ordered civil servants to not express their opinions on social media. The move comes after the claims of dozens of school children fainting due to lack of food and surfaced, provincial health officials and teachers blamed the dire economic crisis in the country, however the authorities dismissed the claim of malnutrition.

Sri Lanka extends crackdown on freedom of speech of civil servants

Amidst the economic crisis, a new crisis is now brewing in Sri Lanka that of the food insecurity which is lack of the consistent access to enough food for a healthy lifestyle. According to a UN report, around 6.3 million people are facing food insecurity in Sri Lanka.

Food insecurity in Sri Lanka likely to worsen, warns UN

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa might return to the country by the first week of September. News agency Reuters reported citing two sources familiar with the matter. The sources told the news agency on Tuesday (August 23) that the return is dependent on arrangements to secure his safety.&nbsp;

Rajapaksa left the country last month in a military plane amid nationwide protests over the country's worst economic crisis. He landed in the neighbouring country, Maldives, and then spent weeks in Singapore before flying to Thailand. Ever since leaving the country, Rajapaksa has not made any comments or public appearances.&nbsp;

Recently, local media reported that Rajapaksa was expected to return to the island nation on August 24. But the arrival has apparently been delayed.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-ranks-5th-among-10-countries-with-highest-food-price-inflation-world-bank-509734">Sri Lanka ranks 5th among 10 countries with highest food price inflation: World Bank</a>&nbsp;

Reuters report mentioned that the delay occurred because talks are continuing between the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the government over his security and other concerns.&nbsp;

As quoted by the news agency, one of the sources, who is a Sri Lankan government official, said: "He definitely wants to come back. But security is the main issue and intelligence has advised that he delay his return. He may return in two weeks or even before that if arrangements for his safety can be made."&nbsp;

While the second source said the high cost of his stay in Thailand was one of the reasons that he is seeking a return home as soon as possible.&nbsp;

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The source said: "The bill has now run to several hundred million rupees as it includes the cost for a private jet, a presidential suite and round the clock security. The cost is becoming prohibitive."&nbsp;

Another source close to the Rajapaksa family said that the expenses of Rajapaksa’s stay in Thailand are largely being borne by some of his supporters.&nbsp;

Sagara Kariyawasam, who is SLPP general secretary, said the party had met President Ranil Wickremesinghe to talk about the arrangements for Rajapaksa's safe return.&nbsp;

Kariyawasam said, "We have made the request for his return to be facilitated as soon as possible.”&nbsp;

In the past few months, Sri Lanka suffered through because of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation. This was in he aftermath as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods.&nbsp;

In a dramatic turn of events on July 9, hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel.&nbsp;

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Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa might return to the country by the first week of September. News agency Reuters reported citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa might return to the country by the first week of September. News agency Reuters reported citing two sources familiar with the matter. The sources told the news agency on Tuesday (August 23) that the return is dependent on arrangements to secure his safety. Rajapaksa left the country last month in a military plane amid nationwide protests over the country's worst economic crisis. He landed in the neighbouring country, Maldives, and then spent weeks in Singapore before flying to Thailand. Ever since leaving the country, Rajapaksa has not made any comments or public appearances. Recently, local media reported that Rajapaksa was expected to return to the island nation on August 24. But the arrival has apparently been delayed. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka ranks 5th among 10 countries with highest food price inflation: World Bank Reuters report mentioned that the delay occurred because talks are continuing between the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the government over his security and other concerns. As quoted by the news agency, one of the sources, who is a Sri Lankan government official, said: "He definitely wants to come back. But security is the main issue and intelligence has advised that he delay his return. He may return in two weeks or even before that if arrangements for his safety can be made." While the second source said the high cost of his stay in Thailand was one of the reasons that he is seeking a return home as soon as possible. ALSO READ | Islamabad court summons former PM Imran Khan in contempt case on August 31 The source said: "The bill has now run to several hundred million rupees as it includes the cost for a private jet, a presidential suite and round the clock security. The cost is becoming prohibitive." Another source close to the Rajapaksa family said that the expenses of Rajapaksa’s stay in Thailand are largely being borne by some of his supporters. Sagara Kariyawasam, who is SLPP general secretary, said the party had met President Ranil Wickremesinghe to talk about the arrangements for Rajapaksa's safe return. Kariyawasam said, "We have made the request for his return to be facilitated as soon as possible.” In the past few months, Sri Lanka suffered through because of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation. This was in he aftermath as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. In a dramatic turn of events on July 9, hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ex-Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa likely to return to the country in first week of September

The International Monetary Fund on Friday said that its team will travel to Sri Lanka next week to resume aid talks.

Formal negotiations on a fresh package for the struggling country started in June but were derailed by the political unrest that forced the now ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and then flee after a horde of protestors&nbsp;dramatically overtook the presidential palace.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US green card

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After months of food, fuel, and medication shortages, the island nation defaulted payments on its $51 billion foreign debt in April and is now seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund.&nbsp;

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has revealed that the loan package under discussion with the IMF is for $2 billion to $3 billion. As per a Reuters report, he also said that he will publish an interim budget in September that would emphasise the fiscal reduction measures negotiated with the IMF.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/situation-in-sri-lanka-stabilised-no-need-to-extend-emergency-president-wickremesinghe-507547" hreflang="en">Situation in Sri Lanka 'stabilised', no need to extend emergency: President Wickremesinghe</a>

IMF personnel are scheduled to travel to Colombo from August 24 to August 31 "to continue discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on economic and financial reforms and policies," according to a statement from the Washington-based crisis lender.

"The objective is to make progress towards reaching a staff-level agreement" on a funding package "in the near term," said IMF.

As per AFP, IMF said that any loan programme would, however, "require adequate assurances by Sri Lanka's creditors that debt sustainability will be restored" due to the fact that the nation's public debt is "unsustainable."

In the midst of rampant inflation, the country's central bank warned on Thursday that the GDP could decline by more than 8 per cent this year, with inflation topping at 65 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The International Monetary Fund on Friday said that its team will travel to Sri Lanka next week to resume aid talks. Formal negotiations on a fresh package for the struggling country started in June but were derailed by the political unrest that forced the now ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and then flee after a horde of protestors dramatically overtook the presidential palace.

The International Monetary Fund on Friday said that its team will travel to Sri Lanka next week to resume aid talks. Formal negotiations on a fresh package for the struggling country started in June but were derailed by the political unrest that forced the now ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and then flee after a horde of protestors dramatically overtook the presidential palace. Watch | Gravitas: Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US green card After months of food, fuel, and medication shortages, the island nation defaulted payments on its $51 billion foreign debt in April and is now seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has revealed that the loan package under discussion with the IMF is for $2 billion to $3 billion. As per a Reuters report, he also said that he will publish an interim budget in September that would emphasise the fiscal reduction measures negotiated with the IMF. Also read | Situation in Sri Lanka 'stabilised', no need to extend emergency: President Wickremesinghe IMF personnel are scheduled to travel to Colombo from August 24 to August 31 "to continue discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on economic and financial reforms and policies," according to a statement from the Washington-based crisis lender. "The objective is to make progress towards reaching a staff-level agreement" on a funding package "in the near term," said IMF. As per AFP, IMF said that any loan programme would, however, "require adequate assurances by Sri Lanka's creditors that debt sustainability will be restored" due to the fact that the nation's public debt is "unsustainable." In the midst of rampant inflation, the country's central bank warned on Thursday that the GDP could decline by more than 8 per cent this year, with inflation topping at 65 per cent. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

IMF-Sri Lanka talks to resume next week

The country's state of emergency won't be stretched past this week, said&nbsp;President Ranil Wickremesinghe's media office on Thursday, as protests in Sri Lanka about the plight of the country's economy and its destruction begin to fade.

According to his office, the president reportedly announced that the emergency would end this week at a gathering in the capital city of Colombo.

Watch |&nbsp;Chinese ship docks at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port

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Reuters reports that the emergency was declared by Wickremesinghe on July 18 when he was serving as acting president after tens of thousands of citizens surged into government buildings in search of answers to the nation's greatest economic crisis in more than seven decades.

As per AFP, Wickremesinghe's declared emergency is set to expire on Thursday, but he has the authority to extend it each subsequent month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-on-the-run-rajapaksa-exits-singapore-for-thailand-505915" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka president on the run: Rajapaksa exits Singapore for Thailand</a>

However, as per his office, he believes that "the situation in the country has stabilised, there is no need to reimpose the state of emergency when it lapses this week."

The emergency regulations provide troops and law enforcement with the power to detain suspects for extended periods of time.

After his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled a popular uprising over months of severe shortages of fuel, food, and medication, Wickremesinghe—who had served as Sri Lanka's prime minister for six terms—was elected president on July 20 by parliamentarians.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-govt-asks-thailand-to-grant-entry-to-gotabaya-rajapaksa-505609" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka govt asks Thailand to grant entry to Gotabaya Rajapaksa</a>

The nation's sovereign debt has already fallen into default.

After the nation missed interest payments due on June 3, June 28, and July 18, as well as a principle payment due on July 25, S&amp;P Global lowered its rating on Sri Lankan bonds to 'D,' which stands for default.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The country's state of emergency won't be stretched past this week, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe's media office on Thursday, as protests in Sri Lanka about the plight of the country's economy and its destruction begin to fade.

The country's state of emergency won't be stretched past this week, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe's media office on Thursday, as protests in Sri Lanka about the plight of the country's economy and its destruction begin to fade. According to his office, the president reportedly announced that the emergency would end this week at a gathering in the capital city of Colombo. Watch | Chinese ship docks at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port Reuters reports that the emergency was declared by Wickremesinghe on July 18 when he was serving as acting president after tens of thousands of citizens surged into government buildings in search of answers to the nation's greatest economic crisis in more than seven decades. As per AFP, Wickremesinghe's declared emergency is set to expire on Thursday, but he has the authority to extend it each subsequent month. Also read | Sri Lanka president on the run: Rajapaksa exits Singapore for Thailand However, as per his office, he believes that "the situation in the country has stabilised, there is no need to reimpose the state of emergency when it lapses this week." The emergency regulations provide troops and law enforcement with the power to detain suspects for extended periods of time. After his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled a popular uprising over months of severe shortages of fuel, food, and medication, Wickremesinghe—who had served as Sri Lanka's prime minister for six terms—was elected president on July 20 by parliamentarians. Also read | Sri Lanka govt asks Thailand to grant entry to Gotabaya Rajapaksa The nation's sovereign debt has already fallen into default. After the nation missed interest payments due on June 3, June 28, and July 18, as well as a principle payment due on July 25, S&P Global lowered its rating on Sri Lankan bonds to 'D,' which stands for default. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Situation in Sri Lanka 'stabilised', no need to extend emergency: President Wickremesinghe

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return to the island nation next week, a local media broadcaster Newsfirst reported on Wednesday (August 17) citing Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Lankan envoy to Russia.

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return to the island nation next week, a local media broadcaster Newsfirst reported on Wednesday (August 17) citing Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Lankan envoy to Russia. There's no official confirmation yet. As quoted by the local media, Weeratunga, who is related to Rajapaksa, said that the former president will arrive in Sri Lanka on August 24. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka set to include Sinhala, Tamil during Independence Day celebrations Amid nationwide protests over the country's worst economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew out of the country last month in a military plane. He landed in the neighbouring Maldives and then spent weeks in Singapore before flying to Thailand. After fleeing the country, Rajapaksa has not made any public appearances or comments. ALSO READ | Situation in Sri Lanka 'stabilised', no need to extend emergency: President Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. In a dramatic turn of events on July 9, hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. Udayanga Weeratunga and the MiG deal probe As far as the probe of the MiG deal is concerned, Weeratunga arrived at the CID to provide a statement about the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets to the Sri Lanka Air Force. Weerathunga was arrested in February 2022 and released on bail several months later. He is accused of unlawfully interfering with the purchase of seven MiG ground attack aircraft for the Air Force from Ukraine. He is also accused of embezzling millions of US dollars through the deal. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return on August 24: Report

“Don’t think it is the right time for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return,” Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, adding that his return to the country may stoke political tensions, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

“Don't believe it's the time for him to return," Wickremesinghe said in an interview with the WSJ, adding, "I have no indication of him returning soon."

The New York City-based newspaper further reported that Wickremesinghe has remained in contact with Rajapaksa to deal with administrative handover issues and other government business.

Gotabaya escaped from the crisis-hit nation on July 13 after his official residence was stormed by thousands of protesters who had demonstrated for months against the island nation’s painful economic crisis. Days later, Wickremesinghe was elected by the parliament after securing a comfortable majority.

According to reports, Gotabaya first fled to the Maldives and from there, he went to Singapore. Reports suggest that he has been staying on a short-term visit pass since July 14, though he has not been provided, nor guaranteed asylum.

The&nbsp;Straits Times newspaper reported that Rajapaksa’s 14-day visit pass was extended, allowing him to stay until August 11.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is currently seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the World Bank refused to offer fresh funding without "deep structural reforms."

On Friday, the finance ministry said that Sri Lanka had resumed bailout discussions with IMF after the new government took office, describing the talks as “highly successful”.

Sri Lanka is bankrupt, and its economy is in tatters. The latest figures released on Friday showed year-on-year inflation&nbsp;in July hitting&nbsp;a record 60.8 per cent. The country has $12 billion overseas debt with private creditors.

(With inputs from agencies)

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“Don’t think it is the right time for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return,” Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, adding that his return to the country may stoke political tensions, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

“Don’t think it is the right time for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return,” Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, adding that his return to the country may stoke political tensions, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. “Don't believe it's the time for him to return," Wickremesinghe said in an interview with the WSJ, adding, "I have no indication of him returning soon." The New York City-based newspaper further reported that Wickremesinghe has remained in contact with Rajapaksa to deal with administrative handover issues and other government business. Gotabaya escaped from the crisis-hit nation on July 13 after his official residence was stormed by thousands of protesters who had demonstrated for months against the island nation’s painful economic crisis. Days later, Wickremesinghe was elected by the parliament after securing a comfortable majority. According to reports, Gotabaya first fled to the Maldives and from there, he went to Singapore. Reports suggest that he has been staying on a short-term visit pass since July 14, though he has not been provided, nor guaranteed asylum. The Straits Times newspaper reported that Rajapaksa’s 14-day visit pass was extended, allowing him to stay until August 11. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is currently seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the World Bank refused to offer fresh funding without "deep structural reforms." On Friday, the finance ministry said that Sri Lanka had resumed bailout discussions with IMF after the new government took office, describing the talks as “highly successful”. Sri Lanka is bankrupt, and its economy is in tatters. The latest figures released on Friday showed year-on-year inflation in July hitting a record 60.8 per cent. The country has $12 billion overseas debt with private creditors. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Don’t think Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be returning soon', says Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe

To what extent China is responsible for the economic crisis in Sri Lanka? Bill Burns, who is the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), on Wednesday (July 20) blamed the "dumb bets" made by the South Asian nation Sri Lanka on China for the ongoing economic crisis.&nbsp;

In the past few months, Sri Lanka suffered through food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods.&nbsp;

Now, Burns said that high-debt Chinese investment by Sri Lanka's leaders was one of the major factors that led to the South Asian country's economic collapse. He noted that the Chinese have a lot of weight to throw around and they can make a very appealing case for their investments.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-india-pm-lal-bahadur-shastris-family-demands-fresh-probe-into-his-death-499233">Former India pm Lal Bahadur Shastri's family demands fresh probe into his death</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by news agency AFP, Burns told the Aspen Security Forum that all the countries should look at "object lessons of a place like Sri Lanka today - heavily indebted to China - which has made some really dumb bets about their economic future and are suffering pretty catastrophic, both economic and political consequences as a result."&nbsp;

He added, "That, I think, ought to be an object lesson to a lot of other players - not just in the Middle East or South Asia, but around the world - about having your eyes wide open about those kinds of dealings."&nbsp;

Not the just chief of the US intelligence agency, many experts have said that China's debt trap diplomacy has become a major cause of Sri Lanka's unprecedented economic crisis.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-asks-countries-to-cut-gas-use-to-tackle-russian-blackmail-499302">EU asks countries to cut gas use to tackle Russian 'blackmail'</a>

China has invested heavily in Sri Lanka and worked closely with former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. A report by The Washington Post highlighted that Beijing has been Sri Lanka's biggest creditor.&nbsp;

The credit accounts for some 10 per cent of the country's foreign debt. The communist nation between 2000 and 2020, moreover extended it to close to USD 12 billion in loans to the Sri Lankan government.&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that in 2017, Sri Lanka was unable to repay a $1.4 billion loan for port construction. It was forced to lease out the facility to a Chinese company for 99 years.&nbsp;

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To what extent China is responsible for the economic crisis in Sri Lanka? Bill Burns, who is the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), on Wednesday (July 20) blamed the "dumb bets" made by the South Asian nation Sri Lanka on China for the ongoing economic crisis.

To what extent China is responsible for the economic crisis in Sri Lanka? Bill Burns, who is the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), on Wednesday (July 20) blamed the "dumb bets" made by the South Asian nation Sri Lanka on China for the ongoing economic crisis. In the past few months, Sri Lanka suffered through food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. Now, Burns said that high-debt Chinese investment by Sri Lanka's leaders was one of the major factors that led to the South Asian country's economic collapse. He noted that the Chinese have a lot of weight to throw around and they can make a very appealing case for their investments. ALSO READ | Former India pm Lal Bahadur Shastri's family demands fresh probe into his death As quoted by news agency AFP, Burns told the Aspen Security Forum that all the countries should look at "object lessons of a place like Sri Lanka today - heavily indebted to China - which has made some really dumb bets about their economic future and are suffering pretty catastrophic, both economic and political consequences as a result." He added, "That, I think, ought to be an object lesson to a lot of other players - not just in the Middle East or South Asia, but around the world - about having your eyes wide open about those kinds of dealings." Not the just chief of the US intelligence agency, many experts have said that China's debt trap diplomacy has become a major cause of Sri Lanka's unprecedented economic crisis. ALSO READ | EU asks countries to cut gas use to tackle Russian 'blackmail' China has invested heavily in Sri Lanka and worked closely with former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. A report by The Washington Post highlighted that Beijing has been Sri Lanka's biggest creditor. The credit accounts for some 10 per cent of the country's foreign debt. The communist nation between 2000 and 2020, moreover extended it to close to USD 12 billion in loans to the Sri Lankan government. Reports have mentioned that in 2017, Sri Lanka was unable to repay a $1.4 billion loan for port construction. It was forced to lease out the facility to a Chinese company for 99 years. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

CIA chief Bill Burns says Sri Lanka made 'dumb bets' on heavy Chinese investment

At an all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the Sri Lankan crisis, the members were informed that India needs to learn its lessons on fiscal prudence and good governance, and make sure that the country doesn’t slide into a similar path.

The meeting was attended by 28 political parties, including the Congress and the Left parties.

Addressing the reporters after the conclusion of the meeting on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India should also shun "a culture of freebies", while dismissing suggestions about such a situation arising in India.

"Lessons of Sri Lanka are very very strong. They are of fiscal prudence, responsible governance and that there should not be a culture of freebies."

"The reason we took the initiative to request you all to join an all-party meeting was...This is a very serious crisis and what we are seeing in Sri Lanka is in many ways an unprecedented situation," Jaishankar said in his initial remarks at the meeting.

"It is a matter which pertains to a very close neighbour and given the near proximity, we naturally worry about the consequences, the spillover it has for us," he added.

Later, talking to reporters, Jaishankar said longstanding issues such as those related to fishermen also came up during the meeting.

According to PTI news agency, two presentations were made at the meeting —one by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on the Sri Lankan crisis and its political implications and another by Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth on the fiscal health of all the Indian states.

"We do not think that a Sri Lanka-like situation can arise in India. But there was a logic to what we were trying to do, we were trying to highlight the importance of fiscal prudence. So, it was not that we highlighted one or two states, we had almost every state. There was no political intent in this," Jaishankar said about the presentation on the states' fiscal health.

The minister told the reporters that the leaders were informed of the support extended by India to Sri Lanka since January and that it has so far reached to US $3.8 billion.

"No country has given this level of support to Sri Lanka and the initiative that we are taking to help them facilitate their engagement with others such as the IMF," he said.

From the government's side, eight ministers attended the meeting, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala.

Jaishankar also brushed aside "misinformed comparisons" between India and Sri Lanka, saying that some people have asked whether "such a situation can happen in India".

"So, what we have done is we have asked the finance ministry to make a presentation and brought out a state-wise revenue-to-expenses comparison...Unpaid dues of discoms," he said.

The external affairs minister asserted that it was a very open discussion with the leaders of all political parties speaking their mind.

(With inputs from agencies)

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At an all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the Sri Lankan crisis, the members were informed that India needs to learn its lessons on fiscal prudence and good governance, and make sure that the country doesn’t slide into a similar path.

At an all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the Sri Lankan crisis, the members were informed that India needs to learn its lessons on fiscal prudence and good governance, and make sure that the country doesn’t slide into a similar path. The meeting was attended by 28 political parties, including the Congress and the Left parties. Addressing the reporters after the conclusion of the meeting on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India should also shun "a culture of freebies", while dismissing suggestions about such a situation arising in India. "Lessons of Sri Lanka are very very strong. They are of fiscal prudence, responsible governance and that there should not be a culture of freebies." "The reason we took the initiative to request you all to join an all-party meeting was...This is a very serious crisis and what we are seeing in Sri Lanka is in many ways an unprecedented situation," Jaishankar said in his initial remarks at the meeting. "It is a matter which pertains to a very close neighbour and given the near proximity, we naturally worry about the consequences, the spillover it has for us," he added. Later, talking to reporters, Jaishankar said longstanding issues such as those related to fishermen also came up during the meeting. According to PTI news agency, two presentations were made at the meeting —one by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on the Sri Lankan crisis and its political implications and another by Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth on the fiscal health of all the Indian states. "We do not think that a Sri Lanka-like situation can arise in India. But there was a logic to what we were trying to do, we were trying to highlight the importance of fiscal prudence. So, it was not that we highlighted one or two states, we had almost every state. There was no political intent in this," Jaishankar said about the presentation on the states' fiscal health. The minister told the reporters that the leaders were informed of the support extended by India to Sri Lanka since January and that it has so far reached to US $3.8 billion. "No country has given this level of support to Sri Lanka and the initiative that we are taking to help them facilitate their engagement with others such as the IMF," he said. From the government's side, eight ministers attended the meeting, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala. Jaishankar also brushed aside "misinformed comparisons" between India and Sri Lanka, saying that some people have asked whether "such a situation can happen in India". "So, what we have done is we have asked the finance ministry to make a presentation and brought out a state-wise revenue-to-expenses comparison...Unpaid dues of discoms," he said. The external affairs minister asserted that it was a very open discussion with the leaders of all political parties speaking their mind. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India needs to learn lessons on fiscal prudence: Jaishankar at all-party meet on Lanka crisis

Ahead of the presidential elections in Sri Lanka, former cricketing legend Sanath Jayasuriya on Tuesday (July 19) urged the members of parliament to "choose wisely". The crisis-hit country will vote on Wednesday and choose a president to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled&nbsp;the country as civil&nbsp;unrest intensified after economic crisis.&nbsp;

Taking to his official Twitter account, Jayasuriya wrote: "Tomorrow is a vital day. Tomorrow, 225 people decide the fate of 22 million. Choose wisely. Buddhusaranai, Godbless, Mashalla!"&nbsp;

Previously, Jayasuriya said he is both "angry" and "sad" to witness his country grapple with enormous financial crisis and civil unrest. He said, he is expecting that democracy will soon be restored in the Island nation.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/three-way-fight-will-decide-who-will-be-sri-lankas-next-president-498747">Three-way fight will decide who will be Sri Lanka's next president&nbsp;</a>

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Tomorrow is a vital day. Tomorrow 225 people decide the fate of 22 million. Choose wisely. Buddhusaranai, Godbless, Mashalla!
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sanath07/status/1549425871093522432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Sri Lanka is facing an economic crisis and the people have suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods.&nbsp;

Rajapaksa fled abroad last week after his palace was stormed by hundreds of angry protesters&nbsp;demanding&nbsp;that he take responsibility for acute shortages of medicines, food and fuel.

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Sri Lanka set to elect a new President&nbsp;

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-will-become-pm-of-islamabad-imran-khans-party-takes-a-dig-498886">Shehbaz Sharif will become 'PM of Islamabad', Imran Khan's party takes a dig</a>&nbsp;

After the presidential vote, the winner of the three-way contest will take charge. Sri Lanka is currently in bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).&nbsp;

Although, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is a six-time former prime minister, is said to be the frontrunner,&nbsp;he is despised by protesters who see him as a Rajapaksa ally.&nbsp;

The 73-year-old Wickremesinghe has the backing of the Rajapaksas' Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna&nbsp;(SLPP), which is the largest bloc in the 225-member parliament.&nbsp;

Wickremesinghe's main opponent will be SLPP dissident Dullas Alahapperuma, who is&nbsp;a former journalist being supported by the opposition.&nbsp;

Alahapperuma pledged this week to form "an actual consensual government for the first time in our history".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Ahead of the presidential elections in Sri Lanka, former cricketing legend Sanath Jayasuriya on Tuesday (July 19) urged the members of parliament to "choose wisely".

Ahead of the presidential elections in Sri Lanka, former cricketing legend Sanath Jayasuriya on Tuesday (July 19) urged the members of parliament to "choose wisely". The crisis-hit country will vote on Wednesday and choose a president to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country as civil unrest intensified after economic crisis. Taking to his official Twitter account, Jayasuriya wrote: "Tomorrow is a vital day. Tomorrow, 225 people decide the fate of 22 million. Choose wisely. Buddhusaranai, Godbless, Mashalla!" Previously, Jayasuriya said he is both "angry" and "sad" to witness his country grapple with enormous financial crisis and civil unrest. He said, he is expecting that democracy will soon be restored in the Island nation. ALSO READ | Three-way fight will decide who will be Sri Lanka's next president Tomorrow is a vital day. Tomorrow 225 people decide the fate of 22 million. Choose wisely. Buddhusaranai, Godbless, Mashalla! — Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) July 19, 2022 × Sri Lanka is facing an economic crisis and the people have suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. Rajapaksa fled abroad last week after his palace was stormed by hundreds of angry protesters demanding that he take responsibility for acute shortages of medicines, food and fuel. WATCH | Gravitas: Sri Lanka set to elect a new President × ALSO READ | Shehbaz Sharif will become 'PM of Islamabad', Imran Khan's party takes a dig After the presidential vote, the winner of the three-way contest will take charge. Sri Lanka is currently in bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Although, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is a six-time former prime minister, is said to be the frontrunner, he is despised by protesters who see him as a Rajapaksa ally. The 73-year-old Wickremesinghe has the backing of the Rajapaksas' Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which is the largest bloc in the 225-member parliament. Wickremesinghe's main opponent will be SLPP dissident Dullas Alahapperuma, who is a former journalist being supported by the opposition. Alahapperuma pledged this week to form "an actual consensual government for the first time in our history". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka economic crisis: Ex-cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya urges MPs to 'choose wisely' to replace prez

Under Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brothers' tenure, Sri Lankans endured chronic gasoline and diesel shortages as well as skyrocketing costs for staples like bread and vegetables for months. Now, as the country's citizens are waiting for lawmakers to choose a new president on July 20, its diaspora has taken it upon themselves to do something for their homeland. To assist Sri Lanka in overcoming its present economic challenges and foreign exchange crisis, a new challenge called as the #SriLankaDollarChallenge has been launched on social media.&nbsp;Under this challenge, Sri Lankans settled abroad are sending Dollars back to their home country. The remittances seek to help Sri Lanka's struggling economy.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka's economic crisis continues to worsen; SLPP announces support to Wickremesinghe

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According to a 2019 study by Weber State University's Nazneen Ahmad and others, remittances do significantly boost economic production.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-sri-lankan-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-defends-himself-497894" hreflang="en">Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa defends himself</a>

The Mint reports that based on data from 80 poor countries from the World Development Indicators 2019 database for the years 1974 to 2014, they demonstrate that, on average, a 1 per cent increase in remittances improves real GDP by roughly 0.07 per cent over time.

As per some claims floating on Twitter, in the last couple of days, Sri Lankans settled overseas have sent close to $30,000 to their country. Tweets/posts online urge the diaspora to contribute by sending "money to family, friends or relatives thru official channels. If everyone could send money thru official channels, we could resolve the balance of payment crisis within few months."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-sri-lankan-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-defends-himself-497894" hreflang="en">Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa defends himself</a>

According to a report by India Today citing local media, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has recommended that all expats utilise only lawful official banking channels to remit dollars.

Earlier in April, Central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe had requested Sri Lankans abroad to “support the country at this crucial juncture by donating much needed foreign exchange”.

Here are some tweets supporting the #SriLankaDollarChallenge:

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We united, we protested and we chased him away. Now again it’s our own turn to reconstruct the homeland. Every small step counts. Do whatever you can. Say no to black market! 🇱🇰💪🏼 
 
“United we stand, Divided we fall.”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilankadollarchallenge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oecsldollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oecsldollarchallenge</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pe0ZV3T4tJ">pic.twitter.com/Pe0ZV3T4tJ</a>
— Mohammed Shafnas (@Shafnas95me) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shafnas95me/status/1547898415769481217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The fellow sri lankans has done their part and now there is no GOTA anymore. 
This is our turn as sri lankans who lives in overseas. Lets do our part and kindly invite all of your friends or family or anyone to take part in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaDollarChallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaDollarChallenge</a> 
And Lets build our country
— Imesh Chathura #අරගලයටජය 🇱🇰💕 (@ImeshChathura) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImeshChathura/status/1547904846958710784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As promised we will continue to do our best to the motherland ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilankadollarchallenge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHomeGota2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHomeGota2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHomeRanil2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHomeRanil2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/bOlDub5HgO">pic.twitter.com/bOlDub5HgO</a>
— Lakmal (@lakmalnira) <a href="https://twitter.com/lakmalnira/status/1547846793483849731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankadollarchallenge</a> is inspiring! 
 
If possible <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSL</a> should share the figures on daily basis to encourage more expats &amp; Entrepreneur 🙌
— Muhammed Gazzaly 🇱🇰 (@gazly) <a href="https://twitter.com/gazly/status/1547916254156976130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Send the money to our country in a legal way and Restore the Nation Together.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilankadollarchallenge</a>
— I'm Mujeeb (@hm_mujeebrahman) <a href="https://twitter.com/hm_mujeebrahman/status/1547862271824920576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Gota resigned and now people are sending Dollars to Sri Lanka. We can do this. Let’s get together and save our country 🇱🇰❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilankadollarchallenge</a>
— Waruna Hapugoda (@Waruna44) <a href="https://twitter.com/Waruna44/status/1547873001537880069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Let's rebuild Sri Lanka 🇱🇰<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilankadollarchallenge</a> <a href="https://t.co/zyICesBd9m">pic.twitter.com/zyICesBd9m</a>
— Thushanka Sandeepa (@thushankas99) <a href="https://twitter.com/thushankas99/status/1547835484881420289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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I urge every Sri Lankan who lives abroad to remit money to family, friends or relatives thru official channels. If everyone could send money thru official channels, we could resolve the balance of payment crisis within few months. 🇱🇰<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankadollarchallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankadollarchallenge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a>
— Geethma Sooriyawansha (@geeethma) <a href="https://twitter.com/geeethma/status/1547965592677666818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

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Under Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brothers' tenure, Sri Lankans endured chronic gasoline and diesel shortages as well as skyrocketing costs for staples like bread and vegetables for months.

Under Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brothers' tenure, Sri Lankans endured chronic gasoline and diesel shortages as well as skyrocketing costs for staples like bread and vegetables for months. Now, as the country's citizens are waiting for lawmakers to choose a new president on July 20, its diaspora has taken it upon themselves to do something for their homeland. To assist Sri Lanka in overcoming its present economic challenges and foreign exchange crisis, a new challenge called as the #SriLankaDollarChallenge has been launched on social media. Under this challenge, Sri Lankans settled abroad are sending Dollars back to their home country. The remittances seek to help Sri Lanka's struggling economy. Watch | Sri Lanka's economic crisis continues to worsen; SLPP announces support to Wickremesinghe According to a 2019 study by Weber State University's Nazneen Ahmad and others, remittances do significantly boost economic production. Also read | Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa defends himself The Mint reports that based on data from 80 poor countries from the World Development Indicators 2019 database for the years 1974 to 2014, they demonstrate that, on average, a 1 per cent increase in remittances improves real GDP by roughly 0.07 per cent over time. As per some claims floating on Twitter, in the last couple of days, Sri Lankans settled overseas have sent close to $30,000 to their country. Tweets/posts online urge the diaspora to contribute by sending "money to family, friends or relatives thru official channels. If everyone could send money thru official channels, we could resolve the balance of payment crisis within few months." Also read | Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa defends himself According to a report by India Today citing local media, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has recommended that all expats utilise only lawful official banking channels to remit dollars. Earlier in April, Central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe had requested Sri Lankans abroad to “support the country at this crucial juncture by donating much needed foreign exchange”. Here are some tweets supporting the #SriLankaDollarChallenge: We united, we protested and we chased him away. Now again it’s our own turn to reconstruct the homeland. Every small step counts. Do whatever you can. Say no to black market! 🇱🇰💪🏼 “United we stand, Divided we fall.”#srilankadollarchallenge #oecsldollarchallenge pic.twitter.com/Pe0ZV3T4tJ — Mohammed Shafnas (@Shafnas95me) July 15, 2022 × The fellow sri lankans has done their part and now there is no GOTA anymore. This is our turn as sri lankans who lives in overseas. Lets do our part and kindly invite all of your friends or family or anyone to take part in the #SriLankaDollarChallenge And Lets build our country — Imesh Chathura #අරගලයටජය 🇱🇰💕 (@ImeshChathura) July 15, 2022 × As promised we will continue to do our best to the motherland ❤️ #srilankadollarchallenge #GoHomeGota2022 #GoHomeRanil2022 pic.twitter.com/bOlDub5HgO — Lakmal (@lakmalnira) July 15, 2022 × #SriLankadollarchallenge is inspiring! If possible @CBSL should share the figures on daily basis to encourage more expats & Entrepreneur 🙌 — Muhammed Gazzaly 🇱🇰 (@gazly) July 15, 2022 × Send the money to our country in a legal way and Restore the Nation Together.#srilankadollarchallenge — I'm Mujeeb (@hm_mujeebrahman) July 15, 2022 × Gota resigned and now people are sending Dollars to Sri Lanka. We can do this. Let’s get together and save our country 🇱🇰❤️#srilankadollarchallenge — Waruna Hapugoda (@Waruna44) July 15, 2022 × Let's rebuild Sri Lanka 🇱🇰#srilankadollarchallenge pic.twitter.com/zyICesBd9m — Thushanka Sandeepa (@thushankas99) July 15, 2022 × I urge every Sri Lankan who lives abroad to remit money to family, friends or relatives thru official channels. If everyone could send money thru official channels, we could resolve the balance of payment crisis within few months. 🇱🇰#SriLankadollarchallenge #SriLanka — Geethma Sooriyawansha (@geeethma) July 15, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

#SriLankaDollarChallenge: Sri Lankans abroad try to save country's economy via viral internet trend

Sri Lanka is currently facing one of the worst-ever economic crises in the country's history. There has been a shortage of essential supplies, and fuel while regular power cuts have continuously troubled the people in the ongoing difficult times. People are struggling to get petrol for their vehicles and are waiting in queues for hours at fuel stations.

While the economic crisis has led to soaring inflation and a shortage of supply, the country is also dealing with political instability. No one has been left unaffected as even the celebrities in the country are dealing with similar issues as any other common man.

Recently, Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne opened up on his struggles to get fuel for his vehicle. He revealed he had to wait in a queue outside a fuel station for a couple of days in order to get his vehicle refilled. The all-rounder was part of the recently-concluded series between Australia in Sri Lanka in the island nation.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/1000-days-without-an-international-century-can-virat-kohli-avoid-unwanted-feat-in-3rd-odi-against-england-497948">1,000 days without an international century? Can Kohli avoid unwanted feat in 3rd ODI against England</a>

Karunaratne said he has to travel to several different places in the next few days for training and to play matches as the domestic season is on but there is a fuel crisis in the country at present. "We've to go for practices in Colombo &amp; to different other places as club cricket season is on but I've been standing in queue for fuel for past 2 days. I got it filled for Rs 10,000 which will last 2-3 days..," the Sri Lankan cricketer told Indian news agency ANI.

He also went on to thank India for its support to Sri Lanka in time of crisis and said India has been like a brother to his country. "India is like a brother country &amp; they are helping us a lot. I thank them so much. We have problems. They are supporting us when we are struggling. Thank you so much for that. Thank you for everything. We will get better and better," Karunaratne added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-should-have-responded-shahid-afridi-reacts-to-babar-azams-tweet-for-kohli-amid-his-woeful-form-497898">'Virat should have responded': Shahid Afridi reacts to Babar Azam's tweet for Kohli amid his woeful form</a>

However, despite the tough situation in the country, Sri Lanka recently successfully hosted Australia for a full-fledged tour consisting of 3 T20Is, 5 ODIs and two Test matches. While Australia clinched the T20I series 2-1, Sri Lanka bagged the ODI series 3-2 before the two-match Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.

 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka is currently facing one of the worst-ever economic crises in the country's history. There has been a shortage of essential supplies, and fuel while regular power cuts have continuously troubled the people in the ongoing difficult times.

Sri Lanka is currently facing one of the worst-ever economic crises in the country's history. There has been a shortage of essential supplies, and fuel while regular power cuts have continuously troubled the people in the ongoing difficult times. People are struggling to get petrol for their vehicles and are waiting in queues for hours at fuel stations. While the economic crisis has led to soaring inflation and a shortage of supply, the country is also dealing with political instability. No one has been left unaffected as even the celebrities in the country are dealing with similar issues as any other common man. Recently, Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne opened up on his struggles to get fuel for his vehicle. He revealed he had to wait in a queue outside a fuel station for a couple of days in order to get his vehicle refilled. The all-rounder was part of the recently-concluded series between Australia in Sri Lanka in the island nation. Also Read: 1,000 days without an international century? Can Kohli avoid unwanted feat in 3rd ODI against England Karunaratne said he has to travel to several different places in the next few days for training and to play matches as the domestic season is on but there is a fuel crisis in the country at present. "We've to go for practices in Colombo & to different other places as club cricket season is on but I've been standing in queue for fuel for past 2 days. I got it filled for Rs 10,000 which will last 2-3 days..," the Sri Lankan cricketer told Indian news agency ANI. He also went on to thank India for its support to Sri Lanka in time of crisis and said India has been like a brother to his country. "India is like a brother country & they are helping us a lot. I thank them so much. We have problems. They are supporting us when we are struggling. Thank you so much for that. Thank you for everything. We will get better and better," Karunaratne added. Also Read: 'Virat should have responded': Shahid Afridi reacts to Babar Azam's tweet for Kohli amid his woeful form However, despite the tough situation in the country, Sri Lanka recently successfully hosted Australia for a full-fledged tour consisting of 3 T20Is, 5 ODIs and two Test matches. While Australia clinched the T20I series 2-1, Sri Lanka bagged the ODI series 3-2 before the two-match Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.

'Standing in queue for past 2 days': Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne struggles for fuel in country

In June, a few dozen activists started meeting regularly at a seaside tented camp in Colombo for hours-long sessions to think up ways to revive Sri Lanka`s flagging protest movement. 
 
The group, which included a Catholic priest, a digital strategist and a popular playwright, succeeded beyond their wildest hopes. 
 
Within weeks, hundreds of thousands of people descended on Colombo. After initially clashing with police, protesters occupied key government buildings and residences, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his prime minister to promise to step down. 
 
"I`m still trying to process it," said Chameera Dedduwage, a digital strategist at a major advertising firm who became part of the team that helped organise the uprising. 
 
"It was 50 percent premeditation and coordination, another 30 percent willingness of the people and 20 percent luck." 
 
In interviews, veterans of those small meetings described how they agreed on a multi-pronged campaign to inject new life into the movement widely known as "Aragalaya", or "struggle" in Sinhala. 
 
The movement had begun in March, when thousands took to the streets to vent their anger at lengthy power cuts and spiralling prices, and to call for the Rajapaksa family that had dominated the country`s politics for much of the last 20 years to leave power. 
 
On May 9, Rajapaksa`s elder brother Mahinda - president from 2005-2015 and at that time serving as prime minister - had stepped down. On June 9, younger brother Basil had quit as a lawmaker. 
 
So, the Aragalaya activists targeted July 9 as the day they hoped to unseat the president himself. 
 
A plan emerged to combine online agitation, meetings with political parties, labour unions and student groups and door-to-door campaigning to get enough people back on the streets for a final push, according to the three attendees. 
 
Public frustration at ongoing shortages, which has brought the economy to a standstill, and the president`s stubborn refusal to step aside, had been simmering for weeks. 
 
Riding on trains, buses, lorries and bicycles, or simply walking, huge crowds converged on Colombo on Saturday, outnumbering security forces deployed to protect government buildings and upending Sri Lankan politics. 
 
"Gota Go Home!" the crowds chanted in Colombo`s Fort area, seething over the country`s worst economic crisis since independence. 
 
They quickly broke into the president`s colonial-era house, before storming a portion of the presidential office and entering the prime minister`s official residence 2.5 km (1.6 miles) away. 
 
Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had been moved to undisclosed safe locations, and within hours they separately announced they would resign to allow an all-party interim government to take over. 
 
If he resigns on Wednesday as promised, Rajapaksa, once a war hero who was both revered and feared, will become the first sitting Sri Lankan president to quit. 
 
"I think it is the most unprecedented gathering in this country. Full stop," Ruwanthie de Chickera, a playwright who is part of the core group of Aragalaya activists, told Reuters. 
 
Representatives of the president and prime minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the protests and why they stepped aside. Their whereabouts have not been made public. 
 
'EVERYONE ON BOARD' 
 
Sri Lanka has around 5 million households and 8 million active Facebook accounts, making online outreach an extremely effective way to reach demonstrators, said Dedduwage, the digital strategist. 
 
"Which means basically through Facebook, we can practically reach every corner of the country at no cost," Dedduwage told Reuters, sitting at a tent at "Gota Go Village", the main Colombo protest site that mockingly refers to the president. 
 
In early July, one of those who received the group`s social media messages was Sathya Charith Amaratunge, a marketing professional living in Moratuwa, some 20 km from Colombo, who had taken part in earlier anti-government protests. 
 
The 35-year-old took a poster he received via WhatsApp on July 2 that read "The Country to Colombo, July 9" in Sinhala, and uploaded it on his personal Facebook page. 
 
That night he began preparing a campaign that would eventually see tens of thousands of people join him on a march to Colombo. 
 
Other Aragalaya members reached out directly to opposition political parties, trade unions and student unions, including the influential Inter University Students` Federation (IUSF), in order to bolster support, according to Dedduwage. 
 
One of Sri Lanka`s largest student groups, the IUSF has a reputation for its political agitation and clashed with security forces during recent protests, dismantling police barricades amid teargas and water cannon. 
 
The Aragalaya group also asked volunteers to visit thousands of homes across parts of Colombo, including middle-class government housing estates, some within walking distance of the main protest site. 
 
To bring people in from outside the city, activists appealed to more than 30 "Gota Go Village" sites that had sprung up in towns and cities across the country. 
 
Late on July 8, police declared a curfew in several districts around Colombo, which activists said was aimed at stalling the planned protest. Police said the move was to maintain public order. Some core group members swiftly moved to safe houses, fearing arrest. 
 
Jeevanth Peiris, a Catholic priest who is part of the activist group, worried that only a few thousand people would turn up the next day because of the restrictions. Fuel shortages had curtailed transport options for weeks. 
 
"We honestly expected only 10,000 with all these restrictions, all this intimidation," he told Reuters, dressed in a white cassock. "We thought 5,000 to 10,000." 
 
'PEOPLE DIDN`T WANT TO GIVE UP' 
 
Early on July 9, marketing professional Amaratunge said he started off on foot from Moratuwa with around 2,000 fellow protesters, about the size of group he had expected after a week of sharing posts on Facebook and WhatsApp. 
 
It was only when he left his hometown that Amaratunge said he realised how many people wanted to go to Colombo. Many had been angered by the curfew, which the police withdrew early on Saturday. 
 
In multiple Facebook livestreams posted by Amaratunge on Saturday, several hundred people can be seen strolling down the main road to Colombo, some holding the national flag. 
 
By Amaratunge`s estimate, tens of thousands eventually joined the march he was on, and reached Colombo`s fort area. According to a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the crowd there swelled to at least 200,000 people. 
 
Members of the Aragalaya core group said several times that number took part, as wave upon wave of people arrived in Colombo and marched towards the main protest site. 
 
Organisers had roughly calculated that it would take around 10,000 people to overpower personnel guarding each of the four entry points to the president`s house, Dedduwage said. 
 
In the early afternoon, after dismantling police barricades and commandeering water cannon, protesters took apart the tall gates guarding the president`s house and overwhelmed a large deployment of security forces. 
 
By night, Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe`s official residences were occupied by protesters, who uprooted fences outside the presidential secretariat and took over a part of it. Wickremesinghe`s personal residence was attacked and a section of it set alight. 
 
Within hours, the leaders were ready to go. 
 
"There were so many elderly, teenagers, youth, women," recalled Peiris, the priest, who said he was part of clashes with police. 
 
"People didn`t want to give up, didn`t want to withdraw." 
&nbsp;

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In June, a few dozen activists started meeting regularly at a seaside tented camp in Colombo for hours-long sessions to think up ways to revive Sri Lanka`s flagging protest movement.

In June, a few dozen activists started meeting regularly at a seaside tented camp in Colombo for hours-long sessions to think up ways to revive Sri Lanka`s flagging protest movement. The group, which included a Catholic priest, a digital strategist and a popular playwright, succeeded beyond their wildest hopes. Within weeks, hundreds of thousands of people descended on Colombo. After initially clashing with police, protesters occupied key government buildings and residences, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his prime minister to promise to step down. "I`m still trying to process it," said Chameera Dedduwage, a digital strategist at a major advertising firm who became part of the team that helped organise the uprising. "It was 50 percent premeditation and coordination, another 30 percent willingness of the people and 20 percent luck." In interviews, veterans of those small meetings described how they agreed on a multi-pronged campaign to inject new life into the movement widely known as "Aragalaya", or "struggle" in Sinhala. The movement had begun in March, when thousands took to the streets to vent their anger at lengthy power cuts and spiralling prices, and to call for the Rajapaksa family that had dominated the country`s politics for much of the last 20 years to leave power. On May 9, Rajapaksa`s elder brother Mahinda - president from 2005-2015 and at that time serving as prime minister - had stepped down. On June 9, younger brother Basil had quit as a lawmaker. So, the Aragalaya activists targeted July 9 as the day they hoped to unseat the president himself. A plan emerged to combine online agitation, meetings with political parties, labour unions and student groups and door-to-door campaigning to get enough people back on the streets for a final push, according to the three attendees. Public frustration at ongoing shortages, which has brought the economy to a standstill, and the president`s stubborn refusal to step aside, had been simmering for weeks. Riding on trains, buses, lorries and bicycles, or simply walking, huge crowds converged on Colombo on Saturday, outnumbering security forces deployed to protect government buildings and upending Sri Lankan politics. "Gota Go Home!" the crowds chanted in Colombo`s Fort area, seething over the country`s worst economic crisis since independence. They quickly broke into the president`s colonial-era house, before storming a portion of the presidential office and entering the prime minister`s official residence 2.5 km (1.6 miles) away. Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had been moved to undisclosed safe locations, and within hours they separately announced they would resign to allow an all-party interim government to take over. If he resigns on Wednesday as promised, Rajapaksa, once a war hero who was both revered and feared, will become the first sitting Sri Lankan president to quit. "I think it is the most unprecedented gathering in this country. Full stop," Ruwanthie de Chickera, a playwright who is part of the core group of Aragalaya activists, told Reuters. Representatives of the president and prime minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the protests and why they stepped aside. Their whereabouts have not been made public. 'EVERYONE ON BOARD' Sri Lanka has around 5 million households and 8 million active Facebook accounts, making online outreach an extremely effective way to reach demonstrators, said Dedduwage, the digital strategist. "Which means basically through Facebook, we can practically reach every corner of the country at no cost," Dedduwage told Reuters, sitting at a tent at "Gota Go Village", the main Colombo protest site that mockingly refers to the president. In early July, one of those who received the group`s social media messages was Sathya Charith Amaratunge, a marketing professional living in Moratuwa, some 20 km from Colombo, who had taken part in earlier anti-government protests. The 35-year-old took a poster he received via WhatsApp on July 2 that read "The Country to Colombo, July 9" in Sinhala, and uploaded it on his personal Facebook page. That night he began preparing a campaign that would eventually see tens of thousands of people join him on a march to Colombo. Other Aragalaya members reached out directly to opposition political parties, trade unions and student unions, including the influential Inter University Students` Federation (IUSF), in order to bolster support, according to Dedduwage. One of Sri Lanka`s largest student groups, the IUSF has a reputation for its political agitation and clashed with security forces during recent protests, dismantling police barricades amid teargas and water cannon. The Aragalaya group also asked volunteers to visit thousands of homes across parts of Colombo, including middle-class government housing estates, some within walking distance of the main protest site. To bring people in from outside the city, activists appealed to more than 30 "Gota Go Village" sites that had sprung up in towns and cities across the country. Late on July 8, police declared a curfew in several districts around Colombo, which activists said was aimed at stalling the planned protest. Police said the move was to maintain public order. Some core group members swiftly moved to safe houses, fearing arrest. Jeevanth Peiris, a Catholic priest who is part of the activist group, worried that only a few thousand people would turn up the next day because of the restrictions. Fuel shortages had curtailed transport options for weeks. "We honestly expected only 10,000 with all these restrictions, all this intimidation," he told Reuters, dressed in a white cassock. "We thought 5,000 to 10,000." 'PEOPLE DIDN`T WANT TO GIVE UP' Early on July 9, marketing professional Amaratunge said he started off on foot from Moratuwa with around 2,000 fellow protesters, about the size of group he had expected after a week of sharing posts on Facebook and WhatsApp. It was only when he left his hometown that Amaratunge said he realised how many people wanted to go to Colombo. Many had been angered by the curfew, which the police withdrew early on Saturday. In multiple Facebook livestreams posted by Amaratunge on Saturday, several hundred people can be seen strolling down the main road to Colombo, some holding the national flag. By Amaratunge`s estimate, tens of thousands eventually joined the march he was on, and reached Colombo`s fort area. According to a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the crowd there swelled to at least 200,000 people. Members of the Aragalaya core group said several times that number took part, as wave upon wave of people arrived in Colombo and marched towards the main protest site. Organisers had roughly calculated that it would take around 10,000 people to overpower personnel guarding each of the four entry points to the president`s house, Dedduwage said. In the early afternoon, after dismantling police barricades and commandeering water cannon, protesters took apart the tall gates guarding the president`s house and overwhelmed a large deployment of security forces. By night, Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe`s official residences were occupied by protesters, who uprooted fences outside the presidential secretariat and took over a part of it. Wickremesinghe`s personal residence was attacked and a section of it set alight. Within hours, the leaders were ready to go. "There were so many elderly, teenagers, youth, women," recalled Peiris, the priest, who said he was part of clashes with police. "People didn`t want to give up, didn`t want to withdraw." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How a band of activists helped bring down Sri Lanka's government

Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker said on Monday (July 11) that the country's parliament will reconvene on July 15 and a new president will be elected on July 20.

Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker said on Monday (July 11) that the country's parliament will reconvene on July 15 and a new president will be elected on July 20. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning to resign on Wednesday as the South Asian nation continues to face its worse economic crisis. In a statement, speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the nominations for the next president will be presented to parliament on 19 July. On 20 July parliament will vote to elect a new president. Abeywardena said, "During the party leaders' meeting held today, it was agreed that this was essential to ensure a new all-party government is in place in accordance with the Constitution and to take forward essential services." Sri Lanka in crisis Sri Lanka has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. The magnitude of the protests changed on Saturday (July 9) as hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. Protesters forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to agree to resign. After that, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said he would step down to allow an all-party interim government to take over. What will happen next? Sri Lanka's constitution dictates that should a president resign, the country's prime minister will assume the role. But incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he too will stand down. It was therefore likely that the parliament speaker, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, will assume temporary charge of the country, until lawmakers elect a new president to complete the rest of Rajapaksa's term, due to end in 2024, said constitutional expert Jayadeva Uyangoda. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka economic crisis: Parliament to elect new president on July 20

The embattled president of Sri Lanka was reportedly stranded in his own nation on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration officials who were preventing his escape to safety overseas. Following widespread protests against him over the nation's unparalleled economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pledged to step down on Wednesday and pave the way for a "peaceful transition of power."

The 73-year-old leader wanted to travel to Dubai and left his official mansion in Colombo shortly before tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied it on Saturday, according to officials.

Rajapaksa is said to want to leave the country before resigning in order to avoid the risk of being arrested because he is immune from arrest in his capacity as president. However, immigration officials were refusing to stamp his passport in the VIP suite while he said he would not use the public restrooms out of fear of retaliation from other airport travellers.

After missing four planes that could have brought them to the United Arab Emirates, the president and his wife spent the night at a military base close to the main international airport.

The youngest brother of Rajapaksa and the former finance minister, missed his own early-morning Tuesday Emirates flight to Dubai due to a similar altercation with airport personnel.

Watch: Sri Lanka's economic and political crisis: No consensus over next President's name

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When Basil attempted to employ the paid business traveller concierge service, airport and immigration staff informed him that they were discontinuing the fast track service with immediate effect.

An airport representative told AFP that "several other passengers objected to Basil boarding their flight." "He hastily departed the airport because it was a difficult scene."

A diplomatic source said that Basil, a US dual citizen, had to obtain a new passport after leaving his behind at the presidential palace when the Rajapaksas beat a hasty retreat to avoid mobs on Saturday, a diplomatic source said.

According to official reports, Rs 17.85 million&nbsp;in cash and a suitcase packed with documents were also left behind at the regal home. These items are currently in the possession of a Colombo court.

He was still the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and had access to military resources, but the president's administration had not made any official announcement concerning his whereabouts.

According to a defence source, he may still use a navy ship to travel to India or the Maldives.

If Rajapaksa fulfils his vow to resign, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister, will automatically take over as president until the parliament chooses a member of parliament to complete Rajapaksa's term, which expires in November 2024.

Rajapaksa is charged with mismanaging the economy to the extent that the nation lacks foreign currency to pay for even the most basic imports, causing extreme misery for the 22 million people living there.

Sri Lanka is in discussions with the IMF for a potential rescue after defaulting on its $51 billion in foreign debt in April.

The island's already limited gasoline supplies are almost gone. To cut down on commuting and save gasoline, the government has mandated the shutdown of non-essential offices and schools. 
&nbsp;

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The embattled president of Sri Lanka was reportedly stranded in his own nation on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration officials who were preventing his escape to safety overseas.

The embattled president of Sri Lanka was reportedly stranded in his own nation on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration officials who were preventing his escape to safety overseas. Following widespread protests against him over the nation's unparalleled economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pledged to step down on Wednesday and pave the way for a "peaceful transition of power." The 73-year-old leader wanted to travel to Dubai and left his official mansion in Colombo shortly before tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied it on Saturday, according to officials. Rajapaksa is said to want to leave the country before resigning in order to avoid the risk of being arrested because he is immune from arrest in his capacity as president. However, immigration officials were refusing to stamp his passport in the VIP suite while he said he would not use the public restrooms out of fear of retaliation from other airport travellers. After missing four planes that could have brought them to the United Arab Emirates, the president and his wife spent the night at a military base close to the main international airport. The youngest brother of Rajapaksa and the former finance minister, missed his own early-morning Tuesday Emirates flight to Dubai due to a similar altercation with airport personnel. Watch: Sri Lanka's economic and political crisis: No consensus over next President's name When Basil attempted to employ the paid business traveller concierge service, airport and immigration staff informed him that they were discontinuing the fast track service with immediate effect. An airport representative told AFP that "several other passengers objected to Basil boarding their flight." "He hastily departed the airport because it was a difficult scene." A diplomatic source said that Basil, a US dual citizen, had to obtain a new passport after leaving his behind at the presidential palace when the Rajapaksas beat a hasty retreat to avoid mobs on Saturday, a diplomatic source said. According to official reports, Rs 17.85 million in cash and a suitcase packed with documents were also left behind at the regal home. These items are currently in the possession of a Colombo court. He was still the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and had access to military resources, but the president's administration had not made any official announcement concerning his whereabouts. According to a defence source, he may still use a navy ship to travel to India or the Maldives. If Rajapaksa fulfils his vow to resign, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister, will automatically take over as president until the parliament chooses a member of parliament to complete Rajapaksa's term, which expires in November 2024. Rajapaksa is charged with mismanaging the economy to the extent that the nation lacks foreign currency to pay for even the most basic imports, causing extreme misery for the 22 million people living there. Sri Lanka is in discussions with the IMF for a potential rescue after defaulting on its $51 billion in foreign debt in April. The island's already limited gasoline supplies are almost gone. To cut down on commuting and save gasoline, the government has mandated the shutdown of non-essential offices and schools. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankan President stopped from fleeing the crisis-hit nation by airport staff

Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look!

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of angry people gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, calling for the government to accept responsibility for the country's dire state. Faced with an angry mob, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agreed to tender his resignation. First&nbsp;in line to succeed him, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also declared his willingness to resign in order to create a unity government. This marked the conclusion of months of anti-government demonstrations sparked by a severe economic crisis that bankrupted the island nation in South Asia and rage over the corruption of the governing Rajapaksa clan.&nbsp;For months the 22 million people island nation has seen its worst economic crisis on record, with months-long blackouts, severe food and fuel shortages, and soaring inflation.

Here is a recap of how the crisis developed:

April 1: After a wave of protests, Rajapaksa proclaims a brief state of emergency, allowing security personnel broad authority to detain and arrest suspects.

Watch |&nbsp;Reports: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign

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April 3: At a late-night meeting, almost the entire cabinet of Sri Lanka resigns, leaving Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, the prime minister, isolated.

After resisting calls to request a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the governor of the central bank announces his resignation the next day.

April 5: Ali Sabry, the finance minister, steps down just one day after being appointed.

As former allies call for Rajapaksa to resign, the embattled leader loses his parliamentary majority. He lifts the state of emergency.

April 10: Doctors in Sri Lanka claim to be running out on life-saving medications and issue a dire warning that the crisis may kill more people than the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/video-protesters-attack-sri-lanka-prime-ministers-house-set-it-on-fire-police-495947">Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police</a>

April 12: After running out of foreign currency, as a "last resort," the government declares default on its $51 billion in international debt to acquire critically needed products.

April 19: A demonstrator is killed by police, the first casualty of several weeks of anti-government unrest.

The IMF asserts the next day that before a rescue package can be agreed upon, Sri Lanka must restructure its enormous external debt.

May 9: Peaceful demonstrators camped outside the president's beachside office in Colombo are attacked by a mob of government supporters who have been bussed in from the countryside.

In the retaliatory attacks that follow, nine people are killed and hundreds more are hurt.&nbsp;

After tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounded his Colombo home, Mahinda Rajapaksa is&nbsp;forced to quit as prime minister and&nbsp;Ranil Wickremesinghe takes his place.

May 10: Anyone engaged in looting or "causing harm to life" to be shot at sight, orders&nbsp;defence ministry.&nbsp;Despite a new government curfew, which is lifted at the end of the week, protesters continue to demonstrate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-to-resign-on-july-13-speaker-495972">Sri Lanka economic crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 13 — Speaker</a>

June 10: The UN warns that millions of people in Sri Lanka are&nbsp;already in need of assistance due to a&nbsp;dire humanitarian crisis.

June 27: The government says Sri Lanka is nearly out of fuel and halts all petrol sales except for essential services.&nbsp;

July 1: A day after the IMF asks Sri Lanka to rein in high prices and galloping inflation, the government&nbsp;releases data indicating inflation has reached a record high for the ninth consecutive month.

July 9: Shortly before protesters attack the property, President Rajapaksa escapes his official residence in Colombo with the aid of troops. He is then transferred to an undisclosed location offshore.

The home of Wickremesinghe is set on fire.&nbsp;

Mahinda Abeywardana, the speaker of the parliament, makes a televised address after Rajapaksa later agrees to resign on July 13. Wickremesinghe also offers his resignation.

July 10:&nbsp;Calm has since returned to Colombo, the country's commercial centre, but the scene at the presidential palace, which had been overtaken gets chaotic. Videos of people enjoying Rajapaksa's pool, and gym, and using his&nbsp;bed for wrestling have surfaced.

July 11: The day after the Sri Lankan President and the Prime minister announced their resignations, leaving the country in political limbo, protest leaders in Sri Lanka vowed that they would occupy the president's and prime minister's homes until they formally resigned.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of angry people gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, calling for the government to accept responsibility for the country's dire state.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of angry people gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, calling for the government to accept responsibility for the country's dire state. Faced with an angry mob, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agreed to tender his resignation. First in line to succeed him, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also declared his willingness to resign in order to create a unity government. This marked the conclusion of months of anti-government demonstrations sparked by a severe economic crisis that bankrupted the island nation in South Asia and rage over the corruption of the governing Rajapaksa clan. For months the 22 million people island nation has seen its worst economic crisis on record, with months-long blackouts, severe food and fuel shortages, and soaring inflation. Here is a recap of how the crisis developed: April 1: After a wave of protests, Rajapaksa proclaims a brief state of emergency, allowing security personnel broad authority to detain and arrest suspects. Watch | Reports: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign April 3: At a late-night meeting, almost the entire cabinet of Sri Lanka resigns, leaving Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, the prime minister, isolated. After resisting calls to request a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the governor of the central bank announces his resignation the next day. April 5: Ali Sabry, the finance minister, steps down just one day after being appointed. As former allies call for Rajapaksa to resign, the embattled leader loses his parliamentary majority. He lifts the state of emergency. April 10: Doctors in Sri Lanka claim to be running out on life-saving medications and issue a dire warning that the crisis may kill more people than the coronavirus pandemic. Also read | Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police April 12: After running out of foreign currency, as a "last resort," the government declares default on its $51 billion in international debt to acquire critically needed products. April 19: A demonstrator is killed by police, the first casualty of several weeks of anti-government unrest. The IMF asserts the next day that before a rescue package can be agreed upon, Sri Lanka must restructure its enormous external debt. May 9: Peaceful demonstrators camped outside the president's beachside office in Colombo are attacked by a mob of government supporters who have been bussed in from the countryside. In the retaliatory attacks that follow, nine people are killed and hundreds more are hurt. After tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounded his Colombo home, Mahinda Rajapaksa is forced to quit as prime minister and Ranil Wickremesinghe takes his place. May 10: Anyone engaged in looting or "causing harm to life" to be shot at sight, orders defence ministry. Despite a new government curfew, which is lifted at the end of the week, protesters continue to demonstrate. Also read | Sri Lanka economic crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 13 — Speaker June 10: The UN warns that millions of people in Sri Lanka are already in need of assistance due to a dire humanitarian crisis. June 27: The government says Sri Lanka is nearly out of fuel and halts all petrol sales except for essential services. July 1: A day after the IMF asks Sri Lanka to rein in high prices and galloping inflation, the government releases data indicating inflation has reached a record high for the ninth consecutive month. July 9: Shortly before protesters attack the property, President Rajapaksa escapes his official residence in Colombo with the aid of troops. He is then transferred to an undisclosed location offshore. The home of Wickremesinghe is set on fire. Mahinda Abeywardana, the speaker of the parliament, makes a televised address after Rajapaksa later agrees to resign on July 13. Wickremesinghe also offers his resignation. July 10: Calm has since returned to Colombo, the country's commercial centre, but the scene at the presidential palace, which had been overtaken gets chaotic. Videos of people enjoying Rajapaksa's pool, and gym, and using his bed for wrestling have surfaced. July 11: The day after the Sri Lankan President and the Prime minister announced their resignations, leaving the country in political limbo, protest leaders in Sri Lanka vowed that they would occupy the president's and prime minister's homes until they formally resigned. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

As Sri Lankan protestors overtake President Rajapaksa's official residence, here's a timeline of the chaos

Sri Lanka's main Opposition parties officially came to an agreement to form an all-party interim government up on the much-anticipated resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on July 13.

Sri Lanka's opposition agrees to form interim govt amid President Rajapaksa's upcoming resignation

The Sri Lanka turmoil is getting more chaotic by the minute. After months of protests, rallies and demonstrations, Protestors have now taken over President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's mansion. Social media images and videos show a disorderly yet happy scene inside the overrun official Presidential palace.

Sri Lanka turmoil gets chaotic. Protestors play carrom, and lounge on Gotabaya Rajapaksa's bed

After a chaotic day, Sri Lankan protesters have said that they won't leave President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence on Sunday (July 10). On Saturday, angry protesters stormed the president's home and forced him to flee.

After a chaotic day, Sri Lankan protesters have said that they won't leave President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence on Sunday (July 10). On Saturday, angry protesters stormed the president's home and forced him to flee. The navy later announced that Rajapaksa would resign. On Saturday, the presidential palace in Colombo was overrun by hundreds of people. The protesters walked in the garden, laughed, took selfies, enjoyed while working out and treated themselves to a swim. People were plonking on a grand piano, admiring the expensive artwork, picnicking and taking turns to sit in the president's chair. To what it appeared, the mood inside the presidential compound was festive as soon as the Rajapaksa had left. The videos showed that the crowd set aside the frustrations of long-running food and fuel shortages. ALSO READ | How Sri Lanka melted away: Anatomy of a massive protest Dozens of men shed their shirts and jumped into the presidential pool. People were frolicking in the water and some were even doing summersaults. Hundreds of others sat down on the lawns for a break from the morning's confrontation with police officers. Apart from the so-called festive, the crowd of protesters smashed furniture and artefacts inside the palace. Media reports mentioned and the videos showed that protesters who seized the residence of the head of Sri Lanka found a huge amount of money there. Some videos showed people were even taking money. "We are in Gotabaya's room, this is the underwear he left behind. He has left his shoes behind too," one young man said while holding up black briefs on a live video shared on multiple social media channels. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka economic crisis: Dhammika Perera resigns from posts after 16 days being appointed as minister The crowd had managed to work their way into the compound after dismantling barricades and scaling its high gates with the help of a captured police truck. People even took turns lounging on Rajapaksa's king-size bed and the comfortable sofas. Protesters scanned through the presidential pantry and munched snacks and had soft drinks. They were seen spread out on counter tops. "I was surprised to see that an air conditioner was working in his bathroom. We have to put up with endless blackouts," a man who entered the palace told AFP by telephone. 'We should not be thieves' As the protesters marched in the palace, a university student climbed a gate post and loudly urged the throng not to vandalise or loot the state residence, which is home to a repository of priceless artefacts. "We called Gota a thief and got him out, please do not remove anything from the palace," he said, adding, "We should not be thieves like the Rajapaksas." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pool party, gym sessions, selfies: How Sri Lankan protesters celebrated after making Prez flee his residence

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top defence source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP has confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, has fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound.&nbsp;The insider claimed that the president was "escorted to safety," and that troops had fired shots into the air to keep mobs of enraged people from storming the President's Palace. In one&nbsp;of the largest anti-government demonstrations in the troubled country this year, tens of thousands of protesters broke through police barricades to attack the president's official residence.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood

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The protesters poured into Colombo's government district, yelling anti-presidential chants and tearing down multiple police barricades to get to Rajapaksa's home, reports Reuters citing a witness present at the scene.&nbsp;The witness claimed that despite police shooting rounds in the air, the enraged mob continued to surround the presidential palace.

According to a video from the local TV news NewsFirst channel, several demonstrators burst into the president's mansion while brandishing helmets and Sri Lankan flags.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/crisis-hit-nearly-6-million-sri-lankans-experience-food-insecurity-as-inflation-rises-495155">Sri Lanka in crisis: Nearly 6 million experience food insecurity as inflation rises</a>

The 22 million-population&nbsp;island is experiencing the biggest financial instability in seven decades as a result of a severe foreign exchange shortage that has restricted imports of fuel, food, and medicine.

President Gotabaya and the Rajapaksa clan is has been blamed for the nation's collapse.&nbsp;Since March, mostly peaceful demonstrations have called for his resignation.

However, since the cash-strapped nation ceased receiving fuel shipments, forcing school closures and rationing of gasoline and diesel for basic services, discontent has gotten worse.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top defence source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP has confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, has fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound.

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top defence source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP has confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, has fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound. The insider claimed that the president was "escorted to safety," and that troops had fired shots into the air to keep mobs of enraged people from storming the President's Palace. In one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in the troubled country this year, tens of thousands of protesters broke through police barricades to attack the president's official residence. Watch | Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood The protesters poured into Colombo's government district, yelling anti-presidential chants and tearing down multiple police barricades to get to Rajapaksa's home, reports Reuters citing a witness present at the scene. The witness claimed that despite police shooting rounds in the air, the enraged mob continued to surround the presidential palace. According to a video from the local TV news NewsFirst channel, several demonstrators burst into the president's mansion while brandishing helmets and Sri Lankan flags. Also read | Sri Lanka in crisis: Nearly 6 million experience food insecurity as inflation rises The 22 million-population island is experiencing the biggest financial instability in seven decades as a result of a severe foreign exchange shortage that has restricted imports of fuel, food, and medicine. President Gotabaya and the Rajapaksa clan is has been blamed for the nation's collapse. Since March, mostly peaceful demonstrations have called for his resignation. However, since the cash-strapped nation ceased receiving fuel shipments, forcing school closures and rationing of gasoline and diesel for basic services, discontent has gotten worse. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as angry mob storms presidential palace

From an unknown location, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered officials to ensure the smooth distribution of cooking gas after the fuel-starved country received 3,700 metric tonnes of LP gas, his office said on Sunday (July 10).

From an unknown location, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered officials to ensure the smooth distribution of cooking gas after the fuel-starved country received 3,700 metric tonnes of LP gas, his office said on Sunday (July 10). This order comes after the country's parliamentary speaker said that Rajapaksa plans to step down on July 13. Although Rajapaksa has not commented directly. In Sri Lanka, anti-government protesters are angry over power blackouts, shortages of basic goods and rising prices. They have also demanded that Rajapaksa should step down. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters stormed the presidential palace and forced Rajapaksa to flee with the navy and announce he would resign. ALSO READ | How Sri Lanka melted away: Anatomy of a massive protest According to Sri Lankan media, President Rajapaksa has instructed the officers to carry out the unloading and distribution of gas as the first ship arrives at Kerawalapitiya this afternoon. The reports further mentioned that a second ship carrying 3,740 metric tonnes of gas is due on July 11 and a third carrying 3,200 metric tonnes of gas will arrive on July 15. WATCH | Sri Lanka crisis: PM, President agree to step down; Gotabaya's current location kept secret × Protesters at the president's home On Sunday, protesters refused to leave Rajapaksa's residence. The president was not present in the presidential house when a mob stormed the building. Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people, is under the grip of an unprecedented economic turmoil, the worst in seven decades. The country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, had announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt stands at USD 51 billion. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka crisis: Location unknown, yet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issues orders

Sri Lanka is currently in a mess, facing its worst economic crisis. The country has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation.

Sri Lanka is currently in a mess, facing its worst economic crisis. The country has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation. The South Asian nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. People in the country have been protesting but the magnitude of the protests changed when the frustration of people with the ongoing economic crisis boiled over on Saturday (July 9). Hundreds of thousands massed in Colombo demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka economic crisis: Dhammika Perera resigns from posts after 16 days being appointed as minister What happened on Saturday? Protesters stormed the presidential palace and forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to agree to resign. After that, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said he would step down to allow an all-party interim government to take over. A huge crowd of protesters surged passed armed guards into the presidential palace and took it over. They smashed the furniture and artefacts and also were seen “partying” in the swimming pool. Media reports mentioned and the videos showed that protesters who seized the residence of the head of Sri Lanka found a huge amount of money there. Millions of rupees were in Rajapaksa’s closet, local media reported. Eyewitnesses published a video online, in which they allegedly counted 17.8 million. Watch some videos here: Protesters who seized the residence of the head of Sri Lanka found a huge amount of money there. Millions of rupees were in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's closet, local media reported. Eyewitnesses published a video online, in which they allegedly counted 17.8 million. pic.twitter.com/fwxCZiM8FJ — Jim yakus (@SJIMYAKUS) July 10, 2022 × Inside President's House. #SriLanka #SriLankaProtests pic.twitter.com/e49jeDIldv — Jamila Husain (@Jamz5251) July 9, 2022 × Video footage of Sri Lankan protesters taking over President's office in Colombo 📸 Buddi U Chandrasiri pic.twitter.com/FINwaaqUat — NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) July 9, 2022 × What happened on Sunday? On Sunday, to some extent, calm returned to Colombo but protesters across the country were seen on the streets waving flags and chanting. News agencies have stated that the Sri Lankan protesters refused to budge from Rajapaksa's residence on Sunday. "Our struggle is not over. We won't give up this struggle until he actually leaves," student leader Lahiru Weerasekara told reporters. Video footage has emerged of Sri Lanka security forces shooting moments before protesters entered the President's house yesterday. On Sunday the presidential palace was a free-for-all, with children and parents plonking on a grand piano, admiring the expensive artwork, picnicking and taking in turns to sit in the president's chair. "When leaders live in such luxury, they have no idea how the commoners manage. This shows what can be done when people decide to exercise their power," Buddhist monk Sri Sumeda told AFP. Video footage has emerged of Sri Lanka security forces shooting moments before protesters entered the President's house yesterday pic.twitter.com/eMMgRWyPZK — NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) July 10, 2022 × What happens next? A sitting president being ousted by street protests is unprecedented in Sri Lanka's post-independence history. Rajapaksa's decision to step down, however, is likely to add to the country's political and economic uncertainty. Sri Lanka's constitution dictates that should a president resign, the country's prime minister will assume the role. But incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he too will stand down. It was therefore likely that the parliament speaker, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, will assume temporary charge of the country, until lawmakers elect a new president to complete the rest of Rajapaksa's term, due to end in 2024, said constitutional expert Jayadeva Uyangoda. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How Sri Lanka melted away: Anatomy of a massive protest

The Sri Lankan crisis takes another dramatic turn as Dhammika Perera, the minister of investment promotion, has announced his resignation from his position as minister with immediate effect. The business tycoon, in a letter, told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today that he accepted the aforementioned job in light of the present economic climate and his deep love for the nation. Perera took his oath of Parliament as a member in front of the Speaker on June 22 this year, filling the national list parliamentary seat that had been left vacant by the resignation of the late Basil Rajapaksa, reported by the morning.

The minister in his letter said, "I am now of the view, your Excellency, that Sri Lanka should expediate to identify and implement a solution that will achieve economic stability and address the needs of the people of our country."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-in-crisis-us-demands-authorities-for-immediate-and-long-term-solutions-to-overcome-discontent-495988">Sri Lanka in crisis: US demands immediate and long-term solutions to overcome 'discontent'</a>

Perera further added, "I always act to the best interest of my country and in order to facilitate such action, I hereby tender my resignation from the post of Minister of Investment Promotion with immediate effect," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-sri-lanka-economic-crisis-forces-president-rajapaksa-to-resign-heres-a-timeline-of-the-chaos-495997">As Sri Lanka economic crisis forces President Rajapaksa to resign, here's a timeline of the chaos</a>

Two days later, Perera was sworn in before the President as the Minister of Investment Promotion as per the oath. However, before taking his oath as a member of Parliament, he had resigned from his positions on the boards of all his firms.

The South Asian country is facing its worst economic crisis since its independence in the year 1948.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Sri Lankan crisis takes another dramatic turn as Dhammika Perera, the minister of investment promotion, has announced his resignation from his position as minister with immediate effect.

The Sri Lankan crisis takes another dramatic turn as Dhammika Perera, the minister of investment promotion, has announced his resignation from his position as minister with immediate effect. The business tycoon, in a letter, told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today that he accepted the aforementioned job in light of the present economic climate and his deep love for the nation. Perera took his oath of Parliament as a member in front of the Speaker on June 22 this year, filling the national list parliamentary seat that had been left vacant by the resignation of the late Basil Rajapaksa, reported by the morning. The minister in his letter said, "I am now of the view, your Excellency, that Sri Lanka should expediate to identify and implement a solution that will achieve economic stability and address the needs of the people of our country." Also read | Sri Lanka in crisis: US demands immediate and long-term solutions to overcome 'discontent' Perera further added, "I always act to the best interest of my country and in order to facilitate such action, I hereby tender my resignation from the post of Minister of Investment Promotion with immediate effect," he said. Also read | As Sri Lanka economic crisis forces President Rajapaksa to resign, here's a timeline of the chaos Two days later, Perera was sworn in before the President as the Minister of Investment Promotion as per the oath. However, before taking his oath as a member of Parliament, he had resigned from his positions on the boards of all his firms. The South Asian country is facing its worst economic crisis since its independence in the year 1948. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka economic crisis: Dhammika Perera resigns from post after 16 days being appointed as minister

After protesters surrounded Rajapaksa's official residence and demanded his resignation, the Speaker of the House, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, announced that Rajapaksa would step down on Wednesday, July 13. In a statement sent to the media on Saturday, July 9, Abeywardena asked the public to be calm in a statement and gave state officials advice on how to ensure that daily life runs smoothly.

The Speaker said that he had notified Rajapaksa of the party leaders' earlier-in-the-evening resolve to remove the president and prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, from office. In order to facilitate a smooth transition, the president indicated his agreement with the choice and announced he would step down on Wednesday.

Speaker Abeywardena urged restraint while pointing out that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's private mansion in Colombo had been set on fire by a group of people.

Abeywardena pleaded with everyone to stop engaging in these behaviours and go back to their homes.

Watch | Public anger over economic crisis: Sri Lankan PM's private house set on fire

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/video-protesters-attack-sri-lanka-prime-ministers-house-set-it-on-fire-police-495947">Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police</a>

Earlier today, Sri Lanka’s prime minister agreed to resign after party leaders in Parliament demanded both he and the embattled president step down on the day protesters stormed the president’s residence and office in a fury over a worsening economic crisis. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-says-he-is-willing-to-resign-495892">Also read | Sri Lanka economic crisis: PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says he is willing to resign</a>

When all parties have reached an agreement on a new government, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said in a voice statement that he will step down.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-to-resign-on-july-13-speaker-495972">Also read | Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as angry mob storms presidential palace</a>

“Today in this country we have a fuel crisis, a food shortage, we have the head of the World Food Program coming here and we have several matters to discuss with the IMF. Therefore, if this government leaves there should be another government,” he said.

His decision followed the largest rally to ever sweep Sri Lanka, in which tens of thousands of protesters burst through barriers and stormed into President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's home and neighbouring office to express their rage against a figure they consider accountable for the country's darkest crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After protesters surrounded Rajapaksa's official residence and demanded his resignation, the Speaker of the House, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, announced that Rajapaksa would step down on Wednesday, July 13.

After protesters surrounded Rajapaksa's official residence and demanded his resignation, the Speaker of the House, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, announced that Rajapaksa would step down on Wednesday, July 13. In a statement sent to the media on Saturday, July 9, Abeywardena asked the public to be calm in a statement and gave state officials advice on how to ensure that daily life runs smoothly. The Speaker said that he had notified Rajapaksa of the party leaders' earlier-in-the-evening resolve to remove the president and prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, from office. In order to facilitate a smooth transition, the president indicated his agreement with the choice and announced he would step down on Wednesday. Speaker Abeywardena urged restraint while pointing out that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's private mansion in Colombo had been set on fire by a group of people. Abeywardena pleaded with everyone to stop engaging in these behaviours and go back to their homes. Watch | Public anger over economic crisis: Sri Lankan PM's private house set on fire Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police Earlier today, Sri Lanka’s prime minister agreed to resign after party leaders in Parliament demanded both he and the embattled president step down on the day protesters stormed the president’s residence and office in a fury over a worsening economic crisis. Also read | Sri Lanka economic crisis: PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says he is willing to resign When all parties have reached an agreement on a new government, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said in a voice statement that he will step down. Also read | Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as angry mob storms presidential palace “Today in this country we have a fuel crisis, a food shortage, we have the head of the World Food Program coming here and we have several matters to discuss with the IMF. Therefore, if this government leaves there should be another government,” he said. His decision followed the largest rally to ever sweep Sri Lanka, in which tens of thousands of protesters burst through barriers and stormed into President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's home and neighbouring office to express their rage against a figure they consider accountable for the country's darkest crisis. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka economic crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 13 — Speaker

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe's home was attacked and set on fire by irate protesters. According to the Prime Minister's Office, a mob broke into Wickremesinghe's private residence, set it on fire, and wrecked some of his personal vehicles.

The Prime Minister previously stated that he is ready to step down to create room for an all-party government.

Earlier today, Sri Lanka’s prime minister agreed to resign after party leaders in Parliament demanded both he and the embattled president step down on the day protesters stormed the president’s residence and office in a fury over a worsening economic crisis.

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When all parties have reached an agreement on a new government, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said in a voice statement that he will step down.

“Today in this country we have a fuel crisis, a food shortage, we have the head of the World Food Program coming here and we have several matters to discuss with the IMF. Therefore, if this government leaves there should be another government,” he said.

His decision followed the largest rally to ever sweep Sri Lanka, in which tens of thousands of protesters burst through barriers and stormed into President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's home and neighbouring office to express their rage against a figure they consider accountable for the country's darkest crisis.

People were captured on camera splashing around in the house's outdoor pool in a joyful atmosphere. Some people made "statements" from the conference room demanding that Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe resign, while others lounged on mattresses or poured tea and drank it.

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SRI LANKANS take a dip at the Presidential palace's swimming pool, raid the bedroom and kitchen as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees. Protestors want the Head of State OUT <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gotabayarajapaksa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gotabayarajapaksa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GotaGoHome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GotaGoHome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> <a href="https://t.co/l7mK7qMQRk">pic.twitter.com/l7mK7qMQRk</a>
— Eric Njoka 🇰🇪 (@eriknjoka) <a href="https://twitter.com/eriknjoka/status/1545708481117794304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Inside President's House. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaProtests</a> <a href="https://t.co/e49jeDIldv">pic.twitter.com/e49jeDIldv</a>
— Jamila Husain (@Jamz5251) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jamz5251/status/1545716286834937857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Wickremesinghe claimed he suggested an all-party government to the president, but he made no mention of Rajapaksa's whereabouts. The creation of a new government was now being discussed by opposition groups in Parliament.

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The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe's home was attacked and set on fire by irate protesters. According to the Prime Minister's Office, a mob broke into Wickremesinghe's private residence, set it on fire, and wrecked some of his personal vehicles.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe's home was attacked and set on fire by irate protesters. According to the Prime Minister's Office, a mob broke into Wickremesinghe's private residence, set it on fire, and wrecked some of his personal vehicles. The Prime Minister previously stated that he is ready to step down to create room for an all-party government. Earlier today, Sri Lanka’s prime minister agreed to resign after party leaders in Parliament demanded both he and the embattled president step down on the day protesters stormed the president’s residence and office in a fury over a worsening economic crisis. Just in: Private residence of Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe set on fire.pic.twitter.com/6cQKLcpsHb — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 9, 2022 × #WATCH | Sri Lanka: Amid massive unrest in the country, protestors set ablaze the private residence of Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe#SriLankaCrisis pic.twitter.com/BDkyScWpui — ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2022 × When all parties have reached an agreement on a new government, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said in a voice statement that he will step down. “Today in this country we have a fuel crisis, a food shortage, we have the head of the World Food Program coming here and we have several matters to discuss with the IMF. Therefore, if this government leaves there should be another government,” he said. His decision followed the largest rally to ever sweep Sri Lanka, in which tens of thousands of protesters burst through barriers and stormed into President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's home and neighbouring office to express their rage against a figure they consider accountable for the country's darkest crisis. People were captured on camera splashing around in the house's outdoor pool in a joyful atmosphere. Some people made "statements" from the conference room demanding that Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe resign, while others lounged on mattresses or poured tea and drank it. SRI LANKANS take a dip at the Presidential palace's swimming pool, raid the bedroom and kitchen as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees. Protestors want the Head of State OUT #SriLanka #gotabayarajapaksa #GotaGoHome @WIONews pic.twitter.com/l7mK7qMQRk — Eric Njoka 🇰🇪 (@eriknjoka) July 9, 2022 × Inside President's House. #SriLanka #SriLankaProtests pic.twitter.com/e49jeDIldv — Jamila Husain (@Jamz5251) July 9, 2022 × Wickremesinghe claimed he suggested an all-party government to the president, but he made no mention of Rajapaksa's whereabouts. The creation of a new government was now being discussed by opposition groups in Parliament. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister of Sri Lanka, has informed the party leaders that he is prepared to step down from office in order to allow an all-party government to assume power.

He claims he is making this choice in light of the fact that fuel distribution over the entire island is scheduled to resume this week, the director of the World Food Program is scheduled to visit the nation this week, and the debt sustainability report for the IMF is soon to be completed.

He accepts this suggestion from the leaders of the opposition parties in order to guarantee the protection of the citizens.

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To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government. 
 
To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) <a href="https://twitter.com/RW_UNP/status/1545757923044839424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“So as to ensure safety of the citizens, he is agreeable to this recommendation by the Opposition Party Leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood

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Protesters storm into the President’s House in Colombo

In Sri Lanka's capital, thousands of demonstrators have occupied President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official house.&nbsp;After months of protests over his poor handling of the nation's economic situation, demonstrators from all around the nation marched to Colombo demanding his resignation.

According to reports, he has already been relocated to a safer area.

Inflation in the nation is out of control, and it is difficult to import food, gasoline, and medical supplies.The island nation of Sri Lanka is currently coping with a food and fuel shortage in addition to extended outages and increasing costs after running out of foreign reserves to import commodities. Thousands of people have been asking for President Rajapaksa to resign at demonstrations across the country.
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Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister of Sri Lanka, has informed the party leaders that he is prepared to step down from office in order to allow an all-party government to assume power.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister of Sri Lanka, has informed the party leaders that he is prepared to step down from office in order to allow an all-party government to assume power. He claims he is making this choice in light of the fact that fuel distribution over the entire island is scheduled to resume this week, the director of the World Food Program is scheduled to visit the nation this week, and the debt sustainability report for the IMF is soon to be completed. He accepts this suggestion from the leaders of the opposition parties in order to guarantee the protection of the citizens. To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government. To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister. — Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) July 9, 2022 × “So as to ensure safety of the citizens, he is agreeable to this recommendation by the Opposition Party Leaders,” he said. Meanwhile, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound. Watch | Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood Protesters storm into the President’s House in Colombo In Sri Lanka's capital, thousands of demonstrators have occupied President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official house. After months of protests over his poor handling of the nation's economic situation, demonstrators from all around the nation marched to Colombo demanding his resignation. According to reports, he has already been relocated to a safer area. Inflation in the nation is out of control, and it is difficult to import food, gasoline, and medical supplies.The island nation of Sri Lanka is currently coping with a food and fuel shortage in addition to extended outages and increasing costs after running out of foreign reserves to import commodities. Thousands of people have been asking for President Rajapaksa to resign at demonstrations across the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka economic crisis: PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says he is willing to resign

As the economic crisis in Sri Lanka continues, the country is dealing with shortage of basic necessities like medicine and fuel. As per the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) most recent assessment on food insecurity, three out of every ten households, or nearly 6.26 million people are unsure about where their next meal will come from. Approximately 61 per cent of Sri Lankan households are routinely adopting cost-saving mechanisms, such as cutting back on their food intake or eating nutrient-dense meals, as a result of record food price inflation, surging fuel prices and widespread commodity shortages, reported by ANI.

The WFP expects as the crisis worsens; more people will use similar coping mechanisms. A woman told the food agency, "These days, we don`t have a proper meal but eat only rice and gravy.” Anthea Webb, deputy regional director for Asia and Pacific at the WFP last month said, “Pregnant mothers need to eat nutritious meals every day, but the poorest find it harder and harder to afford the basics.” She cautioned pregnant women against skipping the meals as “carries throughout your life,” risks both their own health and wellbeing of their children.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/once-prosperous-sri-lankans-will-now-cook-with-firewood-economic-mismanagement-is-the-reason-494957">Once prosperous, Sri Lankans will now cook with firewood, as economic mismanagement hits hard</a>

Amid a massive 57.4 per cent inflation rate and drastically rising food prices, two out of every five homes lack proper diet due to population’s crippled ability to prepare enough and nutrient rich meals for themselves. The situation is severe, in the farming estates sectors, which includes huge tea plantations, more than 50 per cent of the households’ experience food insecurity, as per WFP.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood

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The WFP last month announced a $60 million emergency appeal for food and nutrition to help three million people with the deteriorating situation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-ranil-wickremesinghe-admits-colombo-is-bankrupt-494621">Sri Lanka economic crisis: Ranil Wickremesinghe admits Colombo is bankrupt</a>

The country faces its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948, the situation got worse after the pandemic. The government schools and offices have been forced to close indefinitely due to a current supply deficit. In addition, to this the World Bank estimates that 500,000 people have below the poverty line as a result of the pandemic, the crisis will push some families into hunger and poverty for the first time.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies) 
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As the economic crisis in Sri Lanka continues, the country is dealing with shortage of basic necessities like medicine and fuel. As per the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) most recent assessment on food insecurity, three out of every ten households, or nearly 6.

As the economic crisis in Sri Lanka continues, the country is dealing with shortage of basic necessities like medicine and fuel. As per the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) most recent assessment on food insecurity, three out of every ten households, or nearly 6.26 million people are unsure about where their next meal will come from. Approximately 61 per cent of Sri Lankan households are routinely adopting cost-saving mechanisms, such as cutting back on their food intake or eating nutrient-dense meals, as a result of record food price inflation, surging fuel prices and widespread commodity shortages, reported by ANI. The WFP expects as the crisis worsens; more people will use similar coping mechanisms. A woman told the food agency, "These days, we don`t have a proper meal but eat only rice and gravy.” Anthea Webb, deputy regional director for Asia and Pacific at the WFP last month said, “Pregnant mothers need to eat nutritious meals every day, but the poorest find it harder and harder to afford the basics.” She cautioned pregnant women against skipping the meals as “carries throughout your life,” risks both their own health and wellbeing of their children. Also read | Once prosperous, Sri Lankans will now cook with firewood, as economic mismanagement hits hard Amid a massive 57.4 per cent inflation rate and drastically rising food prices, two out of every five homes lack proper diet due to population’s crippled ability to prepare enough and nutrient rich meals for themselves. The situation is severe, in the farming estates sectors, which includes huge tea plantations, more than 50 per cent of the households’ experience food insecurity, as per WFP. Watch | Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood The WFP last month announced a $60 million emergency appeal for food and nutrition to help three million people with the deteriorating situation. Also read | Sri Lanka economic crisis: Ranil Wickremesinghe admits Colombo is bankrupt The country faces its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948, the situation got worse after the pandemic. The government schools and offices have been forced to close indefinitely due to a current supply deficit. In addition, to this the World Bank estimates that 500,000 people have below the poverty line as a result of the pandemic, the crisis will push some families into hunger and poverty for the first time. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka in crisis: Nearly 6 million experience food insecurity as inflation rises

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