Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa’s grip on power weakens
“However, after much reflection and deliberation and taking into account the current situation, I am now considering for Her Majesty to make suitable interim arrangements to navigate the unprecedented crisis fresh and proactive, and including appointment of unconventional Steps need to be taken to have a new finance minister,” Sabari said in the letter. He was among the four new ministers appointed by the president on Monday after the resignations of all cabinet ministers a day earlier. When parliament was convened on Tuesday, several government officials The allies decided to remain neutral, the first session since President Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency last week.
A disgruntled MP Uday Gammanapila told reporters on Monday that the coalition, which got 157 out of 225 votes in the last vote on the government’s budget, is set to lose between 50-60 members. As a result, the government will be deprived of not only its two-thirds but also a simple majority of 113 members, he said. However, SLPP MP Rohita Abegunawardana said that the government is strong with the support of 138 members. The dissidents said that apart from Sirisena’s 14 members, 16 of the other 11 members of the coalition would defect to become an independent group. They expect at least 20 from the SLPP to add to their ranks.
On Monday, angry protesters stormed the homes of several government leaders, including Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s country house, in the southeastern province. Prasanna Ranatunga, a staunch loyalist of Rajapaksa, said “the president will not resign because of protests, but he is willing to hand over the government to anyone who can prove 113”. The President had invited opposition parties to join the Unity Cabinet to deal with the public anger against the hardships caused by the economic crisis. The opposition parties have rejected the proposal. Analysts said the president, who has nominated just four members to his new cabinet, will be forced to appoint his own SLPP cabinet on Tuesday.
India recently extended a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial aid to the country to tide over the economic crisis after the previous USD 500 billion loan in February to help buy petroleum products. announced. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his recent visit to Colombo had assured India’s continued support in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process. President Rajapaksa defended his government’s actions, saying the foreign exchange crisis was not his and the economic slowdown was largely driven by a reduction in the island nation’s tourism revenue and inward remittances.