Colombo: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Friday has sworn in as the interim President after Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena accepted the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Acting President before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Daily Mirror reported citing Prime Minister’s Media Division.
Wickremesinghe was appointed as the acting President by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday after the latter fled to the Maldives due to the massive protest demanding his resignation.
UPDATES
- According to Speakers office, President Gotabaya Rajapaksha has sent his letter of resignation to the Speaker of the Parliament.
- He landed in Singapore from Maldives after fleeing away from the island nation.
- According to reports, the Singapore foreign minister said that the talk for asylum has been ruled out.
- As per the media reports, all party leaders discussed the current situation in the country at length and the Chief of Defense Staff, the Commanders of the three-armed forces and the Inspector General of Police briefed the Members of Parliament about the current security situation.
- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency as the acting president.
- A gazette issued by the government stated that a nationwide curfew has been imposed till 5 am on 14th July to maintain the law and order situation.
- According to Daily Mirror report, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva requests all citizens to give their support to armed forces & police to maintain the law & order in the country.
- According to Sri Lanka PM Media division, On Monday (11th) Sri Lankan PM held a meeting with the Members of the Cabinet.
- All ministers who participated were of the opinion that as soon as there is an agreement to form an all-party govt, they’ll hand over the responsibilities to that government.
- It further added the ruling party & opposition must form an all-party government.
- Acting President & PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to nominate a Prime Minister who is acceptable to both the Government & Opposition.
- According to a NewsWire report, the party leaders have made a request to acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down.
- Earlier on Monday, the country’s former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa, who is the youngest brother of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, tried to flee the country.
- According to a NewsWire report, the speaker has announced that the nomination for President will take place on July 19.