Sri Lanka President Loses Parliament Majority As Protests Mount
Muhammad Irfan Published April 05, 2022 | 02:15 PM
Sri Lanka's president lost his parliamentary majority Tuesday as former allies urged his resignation, following days of street protests over the island nation's crippling economic crisis
Colombo, April 5 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Apr, 2022 ) :Sri Lanka's president lost his parliamentary majority Tuesday as former allies urged his resignation, following days of street protests over the island nation's crippling economic crisis.
Severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials -- along with record inflation and crippling power cuts -- have inflicted widespread misery in the country's most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's once-powerful ruling coalition is in turmoil after a string of defections, capped Tuesday by the announcement of the new finance minister's resignation just one day after taking office.
Public anger is at a fever pitch, with crowds attempting to storm the homes of several government figures since the weekend and large demonstrations elsewhere in the country.
One newly independent lawmaker who broke ranks with the president's party told parliament it was time for the leader to step down and make room for others to address the worsening crisis.
"If we don't act now, there will be a river of blood in the country," said Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
"We have to forget party politics and ensure an interim government." Tuesday's parliamentary session was the first since dozens of MPs withdrew their support for Rajapaksa's government, including 16 lawmakers from the president's own Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) and its former coalition allies.
The government is now five short of a majority in the 225-member House, but it was unclear whether legislators would attempt to introduce a no-confidence motion that would compel it to resign.
Opposition parties have already rebuffed his call to join a unity administration helmed by the president and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Their government imposed a state of emergency last week in an effort to quell rising street protests, but the ordinance is set to expire next week without parliamentary approval.
Parliament adjourned for party leaders to decide on an opposition demand to put the emergency to a vote later on Tuesday.
Nimal Lanza, a former minister who has also abandoned Rajapaksa's administration, conceded that the ruling party no longer had a mandate to govern and threw his support behind the crowds calling for the president's resignation.
"I worship and appeal to you to take the side of the protesters," he told parliament, addressing the prime minister, who attended the session but remained silent.
Every member of Sri Lanka's cabinet except the president and prime minister Mahinda resigned late Sunday, but an overture to opposition parties was rejected within hours.
Former justice minister Ali Sabry was appointed to helm the finance ministry on Monday, replacing the president's brother Basil Rajapaksa, but abruptly resigned after just one day in office.
"Whilst I regret the inconvenience caused, I believe I have always acted in the best interests of the country," Sabry said in a statement, adding that a more capable candidate was needed to rescue the country from its parlous financial position.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From World
-
Togo lawmakers approve contested political reform
36 minutes ago -
NATO must choose 'whether we indeed are allies': Zelensky
36 minutes ago -
US House to vote on Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid package
36 minutes ago -
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
1 hour ago -
IMF calls on EU to deepen single market integration to boost growth
1 hour ago -
Second Ecuadoran mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
1 hour ago
-
Oil, gas drilling blocked in Alaska wilds as Biden seeks green cred
2 hours ago -
Man sets self on fire outside Trump trial
2 hours ago -
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
3 hours ago -
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
3 hours ago -
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
4 hours ago -
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
4 hours ago