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dateTime="2022-05-18T13:24:05.580435+00:00" class="">2 days ago</time></p></div><div class="sc-w2b75e-5 THKqz"><button class="dots" title="More Options" aria-label="More Options"><svg width="4" height="15" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M1.504 12a1.5 1.5 0 110 3 1.5 1.5 0 010-3zm0-6a1.5 1.5 0 110 3 1.5 1.5 0 010-3zm1.5-4.5a1.5 1.5 0 10-3 0 1.5 1.5 0 003 0z"></path></svg></button></div></header><h3 class="sc-sl5gio-5 fIqEnb"><a href="/english/sri-lanka-misses-adb-payment-pm-tells-parliament">Sri Lanka misses ADB payment, PM tells Parliament</a></h3><div class="sc-sl5gio-11 jkpcry"><button aria-label="Open Post" data-testid="expandButton"><svg width="72" height="24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect opacity=".75" width="72" height="24" rx="8" class="rect"></rect><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9.268c0-.61.613-1.03 1.182-.808L36 15l16.818-6.54a.867.867 0 0 1 .635 1.614L36 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PM</a></h3><div class="sc-sl5gio-11 jkpcry"><button aria-label="Open Post" data-testid="expandButton"><svg width="72" height="24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect opacity=".75" width="72" height="24" rx="8" class="rect"></rect><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9.268c0-.61.613-1.03 1.182-.808L36 15l16.818-6.54a.867.867 0 0 1 .635 1.614L36 17l-17.453-6.926A.867.867 0 0 1 18 9.268Z" fill="#42A5F5"></path></svg></button></div></div><div id="QeZtK0Fd6rQt" data-check="" class="sc-sl5gio-0 gBFYim"><header class="sc-w2b75e-0 jqMnve"><a title="associatedpress" href="/profile/associatedpress" class="sc-w2b75e-1 eysuLC"><div style="position:relative;display:block;overflow:hidden"><div class="ar-1-1"></div><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" alt="associatedpress" 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dateTime="2022-05-16T06:30:00.393210+00:00" class="">4 days ago</time><small>. <!-- -->Colombo, Sri Lanka</small></p></div><div class="sc-w2b75e-5 THKqz"><button class="dots" title="More Options" aria-label="More Options"><svg width="4" height="15" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M1.504 12a1.5 1.5 0 110 3 1.5 1.5 0 010-3zm0-6a1.5 1.5 0 110 3 1.5 1.5 0 010-3zm1.5-4.5a1.5 1.5 0 10-3 0 1.5 1.5 0 003 0z"></path></svg></button></div></header><h3 class="sc-sl5gio-5 fIqEnb"><a href="/english/sri-lanka-pm-likely-to-provide-full-explanation-of-financial-crisis-today">Sri Lanka PM likely to provide 'full explanation' of financial crisis today</a></h3><div class="sc-sl5gio-11 jkpcry"><button aria-label="Open Post" data-testid="expandButton"><svg width="72" height="24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect opacity=".75" width="72" height="24" rx="8" class="rect"></rect><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" 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dateTime="2022-05-12T13:16:35.423098+00:00" class="">1 week ago</time><small>. <!-- -->Colombo, Sri Lanka</small></p></div><div class="sc-w2b75e-5 THKqz"><button class="dots" title="More Options" aria-label="More Options"><svg width="4" height="15" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M1.504 12a1.5 1.5 0 110 3 1.5 1.5 0 010-3zm0-6a1.5 1.5 0 110 3 1.5 1.5 0 010-3zm1.5-4.5a1.5 1.5 0 10-3 0 1.5 1.5 0 003 0z"></path></svg></button></div></header><h3 class="sc-sl5gio-5 fIqEnb"><a href="/english/who-is-ranil-wickremesinghe">Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?</a></h3><div class="sc-sl5gio-11 jkpcry"><button aria-label="Open Post" data-testid="expandButton"><svg width="72" height="24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect opacity=".75" width="72" height="24" rx="8" class="rect"></rect><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9.268c0-.61.613-1.03 1.182-.808L36 15l16.818-6.54a.867.867 0 0 1 .635 1.614L36 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crisis","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-20T07:00:08.273042+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1653030007.572799, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in nine new ministers on Friday in an effort to ensure stability until a full Cabinet is formed in the debt-ridden island nation engulfed in the worst economic crisis since its independence.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The ministers were sworn in after a delay of more than a week since the president appointed new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Rajapaksa reappointed five-time former Sri Lankan prime minister Wickremesinghe, after his predecessor \\u2014 the president's brother Mahinda Rajapaksa \\u2014 resigned in the wake of violent attacks by his supporters on peaceful anti-government protesters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" His resignation automatically dissolved the Cabinet, leaving an administrative vacuum.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The new ministers include two from the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), while the rest come from Rajapaksa\\u2019s own Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and from the group which had resigned from the ruling coalition.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" President Rajapaksa had appointed four ministers last week. Still, no finance minister has been appointed which is significant in the wake of ongoing negotiations with the IMF for a possible bail out.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The Cabinet will be limited to 25 members, including the President and the Prime Minister, according to media reports.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Former minister Nimal Siripala de Silva representing Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP), independent MPs Susil Premajayantha, Wijayadasa Rajapaksha, Tiran Alles were among the new nine ministers sworn in on Friday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Nimal Siripala De Silva Ports has been appointed as the minister of Naval and Aviation Services, Susil Premajayantha as the minister of education, Keheliya Rambukwella took oath as the health minister, while Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, Constitutional Reforms.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The other ministers appointed include Harin Fernando as the minister of Tourism and Land, Ramesh Pathirana as minister of Plantation Industries, Manusha Nanayakkara as the minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Nalin Fernando as the minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security and Tiran Alles as the minister of Public Security.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Rajapaksa has now reshuffled his Cabinet four times, including the resignation of his elder brother and the patriarch of the ruling coalition Mahinda Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" At least six people have died due to exhaustion while standing in long queues for essentials. Ten more died from clashes on May 9 when a pro-government group attempted to break up anti-government protesters demanding President Rajapaksa\\u2019s resignation for mishandling of the crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The police and military had been deployed in Colombo and other parts of the country after violence spread following an attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face, where the Presidential Secretariat is located.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Street protests are going on in Sri Lanka with no end in sight for the crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Last month, the country declared its inability to service its debt amounting to USD 51 billion. In 2022, the foreign debt commitments were at USD 6 billion.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" India\\u2019s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. India provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka\\u2019s foreign reserves depleted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" New Delhi has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The president\\u2019s brother resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-20T07:00:08.273050+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"2005202220FGN26","cleanText":"Colombo, May 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in nine new ministers on Friday in an effort to ensure stability until a full Cabinet is formed in the debt-ridden island nation engulfed in the worst economic crisis since its independence. The ministers were sworn in after a delay of more than a week since the president appointed new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Rajapaksa reappointed five-time former Sri Lankan prime minister Wickremesinghe, after his predecessor — the president's brother Mahinda Rajapaksa — resigned in the wake of violent attacks by his supporters on peaceful anti-government protesters. His resignation automatically dissolved the Cabinet, leaving an administrative vacuum. The new ministers include two from the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), while the rest come from Rajapaksa’s own Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and from the group which had resigned from the ruling coalition. President Rajapaksa had appointed four ministers last week. Still, no finance minister has been appointed which is significant in the wake of ongoing negotiations with the IMF for a possible bail out. The Cabinet will be limited to 25 members, including the President and the Prime Minister, according to media reports. Former minister Nimal Siripala de Silva representing Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP), independent MPs Susil Premajayantha, Wijayadasa Rajapaksha, Tiran Alles were among the new nine ministers sworn in on Friday. Nimal Siripala De Silva Ports has been appointed as the minister of Naval and Aviation Services, Susil Premajayantha as the minister of education, Keheliya Rambukwella took oath as the health minister, while Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, Constitutional Reforms. The other ministers appointed include Harin Fernando as the minister of Tourism and Land, Ramesh Pathirana as minister of Plantation Industries, Manusha Nanayakkara as the minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Nalin Fernando as the minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security and Tiran Alles as the minister of Public Security. Rajapaksa has now reshuffled his Cabinet four times, including the resignation of his elder brother and the patriarch of the ruling coalition Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. At least six people have died due to exhaustion while standing in long queues for essentials. Ten more died from clashes on May 9 when a pro-government group attempted to break up anti-government protesters demanding President Rajapaksa’s resignation for mishandling of the crisis. The police and military had been deployed in Colombo and other parts of the country after violence spread following an attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face, where the Presidential Secretariat is located. Street protests are going on in Sri Lanka with no end in sight for the crisis. Last month, the country declared its inability to service its debt amounting to USD 51 billion. In 2022, the foreign debt commitments were at USD 6 billion. India’s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. India provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves depleted. New Delhi has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government. President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month. The president’s brother resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka,Susil Premajayantha,Tiran Alles,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Wickremesinghe,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Samagi Jana Balawegaya,SJB","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-20T07:00:07.586929+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"RWnNRul2umWJ","slug":"english/sri-lanka-welcomes-g7-announcement-in-securing-debt-relief-pm-wickremesinghe","title":"Sri Lanka welcomes G7 announcement in securing debt relief: PM Wickremesinghe","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-20T07:00:06.959489+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1653030005.851686, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday welcomed the G7 announcement that they will assist the country in securing debt relief as it is grappling with its worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through its worst financial crisis since it won independence in 1948. The country faces an acute shortage of foreign exchange that has led to an increase in prices and a shortage of vehicular fuel, cooking gas, food, and thermal fuel for electricity production.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In this challenging time, the Group of Seven (G7) nations have announced that they will assist Sri Lanka in securing debt relief.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The G7 comprises the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"I welcome the G7 announcement that they will assist Sri Lanka in securing debt relief. The continued engagement by the international community with Sri Lanka is key to overcoming the economic crisis,\\\" Wickremesinghe tweeted on Friday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Meanwhile, the Government of Japan on Friday announced USD 1.5 million funding to help Sri Lanka respond to the ongoing economic crisis. The funds will be used by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide food assistance to children and families in need of support.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Wednesday, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the country had missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Prime Minister then said the debt-ridden country could not even pay a million dollars. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Japan","slug":"japan","id":"anJhzDRc6xxB"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"UK","slug":"uk","id":"rBpj9Yi57Sni"},{"name":"Canada","slug":"canada","id":"Go7uHdKEBarl"},{"name":"France","slug":"france","id":"aF0AipAbPtoh"},{"name":"Germany","slug":"germany","id":"OAY7kVupDf3P"},{"name":"Italy","slug":"italy","id":"kgwtQnXQHqXE"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-20T07:00:06.959495+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"2005202220FGN25","cleanText":"Colombo, May 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday welcomed the G7 announcement that they will assist the country in securing debt relief as it is grappling with its worst economic crisis.Sri Lanka is going through its worst financial crisis since it won independence in 1948. The country faces an acute shortage of foreign exchange that has led to an increase in prices and a shortage of vehicular fuel, cooking gas, food, and thermal fuel for electricity production.In this challenging time, the Group of Seven (G7) nations have announced that they will assist Sri Lanka in securing debt relief.The G7 comprises the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.I welcome the G7 announcement that they will assist Sri Lanka in securing debt relief. The continued engagement by the international community with Sri Lanka is key to overcoming the economic crisis, Wickremesinghe tweeted on Friday.Meanwhile, the Government of Japan on Friday announced USD 1.5 million funding to help Sri Lanka respond to the ongoing economic crisis. The funds will be used by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide food assistance to children and families in need of support.On Wednesday, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the country had missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow.Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded.Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April.The Prime Minister then said the debt-ridden country could not even pay a million dollars.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Sri Lankan,Japan,Ranil Wickremesinghe,UK,Canada,France,Germany,Italy,the United Nations World Food Programme","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-20T07:00:05.865764+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"0qMmOsIeWpuV","slug":"english/fitch-downgrades-sri-lanka-to-restrictive-default","title":"Fitch downgrades Sri Lanka to “restrictive default”","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-20T05:00:05.268867+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1653022804.552836, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 20 (PTI) New York-based ratings agency Fitch has downgraded debt-ridden Sri Lanka\\u2019s sovereign rating to \\u201crestricted default\\u201d after the country defaulted on making international sovereign bond payments at the end of the 30-day grace period.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The downgrade comes at a time when the Central Bank governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe conceded on Thursday that Sri Lanka won't be able to pay back its debts until it restructures them.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The bond payments, which was due on April 18, were worth USD 78 million, with a 30-day grace period that expired on Wednesday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" On April 12, Fitch had downgraded Sri Lanka to \\u2018C\\u2019. \\u201cWe have downgraded Sri Lanka\\u2019s foreign-currency issue ratings to \\u2018D\\u2019 from \\u2018C\\u2019, given the default on the senior unsecured foreign-currency bonds and the cross-default clauses triggered in the other rated international foreign-currency sovereign bonds,\\u201d the rating agency said on Thursday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The damning downgrade means that the island nation of 22 million people fell into default for the first time in its history, even as the new government headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tries to end the crippling economic meltdown that has prompted wide-scale protests and a full-blown political crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe said on Wednesday that the country has missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded. Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Weerasinghe said on Thursday that the nation has announced a pre-emptive default.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\\"What we have announced is a pre-emptive default, we have announced that we are not going to pay,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Weerasinghe said \\\"you can technically term it a hard default based on the agreements\\\".\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" He said on April 12 that Sri Lanka had announced its suspension of debt payments as it couldn't pay. \\u201cWe had already announced that we will not be able to pay until we restructure the debt, he said, adding that the appointment of financial advisers and lawyers for debt restructuring could be done soon.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" On Thursday, Wickremesinghe accepted a generous offer from Maldivian Speaker Mohamed Nasheed to assist the debt-ridden island nation's bid to secure international relief in the ongoing economic crisis. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"NewYork","slug":"newyork","id":"ZXs8JjMQ5noW"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-20T05:00:05.268872+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"2005202220FGN13","cleanText":"Colombo, May 20 (PTI) New York-based ratings agency Fitch has downgraded debt-ridden Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating to “restricted default” after the country defaulted on making international sovereign bond payments at the end of the 30-day grace period. The downgrade comes at a time when the Central Bank governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe conceded on Thursday that Sri Lanka won't be able to pay back its debts until it restructures them. The bond payments, which was due on April 18, were worth USD 78 million, with a 30-day grace period that expired on Wednesday. On April 12, Fitch had downgraded Sri Lanka to ‘C’. “We have downgraded Sri Lanka’s foreign-currency issue ratings to ‘D’ from ‘C’, given the default on the senior unsecured foreign-currency bonds and the cross-default clauses triggered in the other rated international foreign-currency sovereign bonds,” the rating agency said on Thursday. The damning downgrade means that the island nation of 22 million people fell into default for the first time in its history, even as the new government headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tries to end the crippling economic meltdown that has prompted wide-scale protests and a full-blown political crisis. Wickremesinghe said on Wednesday that the country has missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow. Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded. Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April. Weerasinghe said on Thursday that the nation has announced a pre-emptive default. What we have announced is a pre-emptive default, we have announced that we are not going to pay, he said. Weerasinghe said you can technically term it a hard default based on the agreements. He said on April 12 that Sri Lanka had announced its suspension of debt payments as it couldn't pay. “We had already announced that we will not be able to pay until we restructure the debt, he said, adding that the appointment of financial advisers and lawyers for debt restructuring could be done soon. On Thursday, Wickremesinghe accepted a generous offer from Maldivian Speaker Mohamed Nasheed to assist the debt-ridden island nation's bid to secure international relief in the ongoing economic crisis.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Fitch,New York,Central Bank,P Nandalal Weerasinghe,Ranil Wickremesinghe,the Asian Development Bank,Mohamed Nasheed,PTI VM AKJ","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-20T05:00:04.576922+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"gdYbZGD4LE2w","slug":"english/sri-lanka-closes-schools-limits-work-amid-fuel-shortage","title":"Sri Lanka closes schools, limits work amid fuel shortage","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/Sri_Lanka_04487_pVyIwNXIn.jpg","coverCaption":"A student monk representing Inter University Students Federation shouts slogans during an anti government protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, May 19, 2022. Sri Lankans have been protesting for more than a month demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, holding him responsible for the country's worst economic crisis in recent memory. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-20T04:48:13.235171+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1653022089.142623, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan authorities on Friday closed schools and asked public officials not to come to work in a desperate move to prepare for an acute fuel shortage that is expected to last days amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Public Administration Ministry asked the public officials — except for those who maintain essential services — not to come to work on Friday “in a view of current fuel shortage and issues in transport facilities” across the country. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"State- and government-approved private schools also closed Friday amid the worsening fuel shortage, with thousands of people waiting in queues at fuel stations across the country for days at a time.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is now almost without gasoline and faces an acute shortage of other fuels as well.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The government has been struggling to find money to pay for the importation of fuel, gas and other essentials in recent months as the Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests and unrest.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"For months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy those essentials, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters blocked main roads to demand gas and fuel, and television stations showed people in some areas fighting over limited stocks.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts of up to four hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president’s office for more than a month, calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once-powerful ruling family, with one of the president’s brothers resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Monday that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Attacks by Rajapaksa’s supporters on protesters last week sparked nationwide violence that left nine people — including a lawmaker — dead, and more than 200 injured. Homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burned down.\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-20T04:48:13.235176+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"0f565f5fcce991","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan authorities on Friday closed schools and asked public officials not to come to work in a desperate move to prepare for an acute fuel shortage that is expected to last days amid the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.The Public Administration Ministry asked the public officials — except for those who maintain essential services — not to come to work on Friday “in a view of current fuel shortage and issues in transport facilities” across the country. State- and government-approved private schools also closed Friday amid the worsening fuel shortage, with thousands of people waiting in queues at fuel stations across the country for days at a time.Sri Lanka is now almost without gasoline and faces an acute shortage of other fuels as well.The government has been struggling to find money to pay for the importation of fuel, gas and other essentials in recent months as the Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy.Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests and unrest.For months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy those essentials, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation.Protesters blocked main roads to demand gas and fuel, and television stations showed people in some areas fighting over limited stocks.Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts of up to four hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations. Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves. Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president’s office for more than a month, calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign. Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once-powerful ruling family, with one of the president’s brothers resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Monday that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. Attacks by Rajapaksa’s supporters on protesters last week sparked nationwide violence that left nine people — including a lawmaker — dead, and more than 200 injured. Homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burned down.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,COLOMBO,The Public Administration Ministry,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Cabinet,Sri Lanka's,Ranil Wickremesinghe,treasury","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-20T04:48:12.524537+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"dZgpXwcbE7ny","slug":"english/sri-lanka-falls-into-default-for-the-first-time-ever-seeks-restructure-of-debts","title":"Sri Lanka falls into default for the first time ever, seeks restructure of debts","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_ZrQ8GdUtgj.jpg","coverCaption":"Sri Lankans shout anti government slogans blocking the entrance to president's office during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday (Photo Credit: AP)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-20T02:30:00.202710+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSri Lanka has been mired in turmoil amid surging inflation\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePublic anger has boiled over into violent protests\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIts bonds are among the worst performers in the world this year\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1653013661062,\\\"strCount\\\":3281,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In a first, Sri Lanka fell into default as the government struggled to halt an economic meltdown that prompted mass protests and a political crisis.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"During a briefing on Thursday, central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said that policy makers had flagged to creditors that the nation wouldn’t be able to make payments until the debt is restructured, and is therefore in pre-emptive default. Fitch Ratings also confirmed the finding, downgrading Sri Lanka to \\\\\\\"restricted default\\\\\\\" later in the day.\u0026nbsp;\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lanka-central-bank-keeps-key-rates-unchanged-amid-debt-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eSri Lanka central bank keeps key rates unchanged amid debt crisis\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The coupon payments, which were originally due April 18, worth $78 million combined on notes maturing 2023 and 2028, with a 30-day grace period that expired on Wednesday.\u0026nbsp;\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Sri Lanka has been mired in turmoil amid surging inflation, a plummeting currency and an economic crisis that has left the country short of the hard currency it needs to import food and fuel.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/amid-steep-economic-crisis-can-the-sri-lankan-government-make-payroll\\\\\\\"\u003eAmid steep economic crisis, can the Sri Lankan government make payroll?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Public anger has boiled over into violent protests and led the government to announce last month it would halt payments on its $12.6 billion pile of foreign debt to preserve cash for essential goods.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"That marks the nation's first sovereign debt default since it gained independence from \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/britain\\\\\\\"\u003eBritain\u003c/a\u003e in 1948. Its bonds are among the worst performers in the world this year and trade deep in distressed territory, with holders bracing for losses approaching 60 cents on the dollar.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Many of Sri Lanka's bonds have so-called cross-default clauses, which drag all the outstanding dollar debt into default if there's a missed payment in a single bond.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/no-petrol-15-hour-power-cuts-reduced-revenue-wickremesinghe-on-state-of-sri-lanka-economy\\\\\\\"\u003eNo petrol, 15 hr power cuts, reduced revenue: Sri Lanka PM on economic woes\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"On the debt due in 2023 and 2028, the clause is triggered if any payment that exceeds $25 million is not met. The country was already declared in selective default by S\u0026amp;P Global Ratings in late April.\u0026nbsp;\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout and needs to negotiate a debt restructuring with creditors. Previously, the country has said it needs between $3 billion and $4 billion this year to pull itself out of the crisis.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/in-first-visit-to-nepal-after-2020-border-row-pm-modi-visits-buddhas-birthplace\\\\\\\"\u003eIn first visit to Nepal after 2020 border row, PM Modi visits Buddha's birthplace\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Sri Lanka's bonds were mixed on Thursday but higher than their record lows reached last week, suggesting traders expect better recovery values.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Dollar bonds due in 2030 were indicated 0.28 cents lower at 38.39 cents on the dollar and notes due in July were 0.22 cents higher at 42.78 cents, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Colombo All-Share Index slumped more than 3% amid a global equity selloff.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Ajay Joseph","photo":null,"username":"ajay4396","id":"LFYsY6JozEMx","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"World","slug":"world","id":"iEhRQcab92b8"},{"name":"Economy","slug":"economy","id":"5VhOB45vqxj9"},{"name":"Britain","slug":"britain","id":"xnjqZ4BkgTWS"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Ajay Joseph","id":"LFYsY6JozEMx","username":"ajay4396"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-20T02:30:00.202713+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"In a first, Sri Lanka fell into default as the government struggled to halt an economic meltdown that prompted mass protests and a political crisis. During a briefing on Thursday, central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said that policy makers had flagged to creditors that the nation wouldn’t be able to make payments until the debt is restructured, and is therefore in pre-emptive default. Fitch Ratings also confirmed the finding, downgrading Sri Lanka to restricted default later in the day. ,Also read: Sri Lanka central bank keeps key rates unchanged amid debt crisis,The coupon payments, which were originally due April 18, worth $78 million combined on notes maturing 2023 and 2028, with a 30-day grace period that expired on Wednesday. ,Sri Lanka has been mired in turmoil amid surging inflation, a plummeting currency and an economic crisis that has left the country short of the hard currency it needs to import food and fuel. Also read: Amid steep economic crisis, can the Sri Lankan government make payroll?,Public anger has boiled over into violent protests and led the government to announce last month it would halt payments on its $12.6 billion pile of foreign debt to preserve cash for essential goods. That marks the nation's first sovereign debt default since it gained independence from Britain in 1948. Its bonds are among the worst performers in the world this year and trade deep in distressed territory, with holders bracing for losses approaching 60 cents on the dollar. Many of Sri Lanka's bonds have so-called cross-default clauses, which drag all the outstanding dollar debt into default if there's a missed payment in a single bond. Also read: No petrol, 15 hr power cuts, reduced revenue: Sri Lanka PM on economic woes,On the debt due in 2023 and 2028, the clause is triggered if any payment that exceeds $25 million is not met. The country was already declared in selective default by S\u0026P Global Ratings in late April. ,Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout and needs to negotiate a debt restructuring with creditors. Previously, the country has said it needs between $3 billion and $4 billion this year to pull itself out of the crisis. Also read: In first visit to Nepal after 2020 border row, PM Modi visits Buddha's birthplace,Sri Lanka's bonds were mixed on Thursday but higher than their record lows reached last week, suggesting traders expect better recovery values. Dollar bonds due in 2030 were indicated 0.28 cents lower at 38.39 cents on the dollar and notes due in July were 0.22 cents higher at 42.78 cents, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Colombo All-Share Index slumped more than 3% amid a global equity selloff.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka's,central bank,Nandalal Weerasinghe,Lanka,Britain,the International Monetary Fund","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-20T02:30:00+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"MR2llyYMN2NU","slug":"english/need-to-restructure-debts-to-be-able-to-pay-it-back-sri-lankan-central-bank-governor","title":"Need to restructure debts to be able to pay it back: Sri Lankan central bank governor","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-19T13:57:05.772840+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652968625.13166, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 19 (PTI) Sri Lanka won\\u2019t be able to pay back its debts until it restructures them, Central Bank governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Thursday as he called for the early appointment of financial advisers and lawyers for the debt restructuring process.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Speaking to the media here, Weerasinghe said that there is an urgent need for the new leaders of the country to bring the economic situation to stability.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Opposition said in Parliament on Wednesday that the country for the first time in its history was defaulting on an international sovereign bond payment at the end of a 30-day grace period which fell yesterday. They claimed it was a hard default.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also on Wednesday said the country has missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Prime Minister then said the debt-ridden country could not even pay a million dollars.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Weerasinghe said that the nation has announced a pre-emptive default.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWhat we have announced is a pre-emptive default, we have announced that we are not going to pay,\\u201d he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Weerasinghe said \\u201cyou can technically term it a hard default based on the agreements\\u201d.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He said on April 12 that Sri Lanka had announced its suspension of debt payments as it couldn\\u2019t pay.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe had already announced that we will not be able to pay until we restructure the debt\\u201d.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Weerasinghe said that the appointment of financial advisers and lawyers for debt restructuring could be done soon.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He threatened to resign two weeks ago unless action was taken to bring in political stability.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cNow there is a prime minister and a cabinet, decision making is now possible compared to when I said that,\\u201dWeerasinghe said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He said he had met the new prime minister Wickremesinghe and hoped that work on economic stability could now make progress.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe told Parliament he would be presenting a report on the debt default soon as most of the information required were missing.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Having announced the debt default Sri Lanka initiated talks with the IMF for a possible bail out.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The IMF has however termed Sri Lanka\\u2019s current debt as unsustainable and invited the government attention to tackle the issue. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-19T13:57:05.772846+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1905202219FGN71","cleanText":"Colombo, May 19 (PTI) Sri Lanka won’t be able to pay back its debts until it restructures them, Central Bank governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Thursday as he called for the early appointment of financial advisers and lawyers for the debt restructuring process.Speaking to the media here, Weerasinghe said that there is an urgent need for the new leaders of the country to bring the economic situation to stability.The Opposition said in Parliament on Wednesday that the country for the first time in its history was defaulting on an international sovereign bond payment at the end of a 30-day grace period which fell yesterday. They claimed it was a hard default.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also on Wednesday said the country has missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow.Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded.Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April.The Prime Minister then said the debt-ridden country could not even pay a million dollars.Weerasinghe said that the nation has announced a pre-emptive default.“What we have announced is a pre-emptive default, we have announced that we are not going to pay,” he said.Weerasinghe said “you can technically term it a hard default based on the agreements”.He said on April 12 that Sri Lanka had announced its suspension of debt payments as it couldn’t pay.“We had already announced that we will not be able to pay until we restructure the debt”.Weerasinghe said that the appointment of financial advisers and lawyers for debt restructuring could be done soon.He threatened to resign two weeks ago unless action was taken to bring in political stability.“Now there is a prime minister and a cabinet, decision making is now possible compared to when I said that,”Weerasinghe said.He said he had met the new prime minister Wickremesinghe and hoped that work on economic stability could now make progress.Wickremesinghe told Parliament he would be presenting a report on the debt default soon as most of the information required were missing.Having announced the debt default Sri Lanka initiated talks with the IMF for a possible bail out.The IMF has however termed Sri Lanka’s current debt as unsustainable and invited the government attention to tackle the issue.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Parliament,Central Bank,P Nandalal Weerasinghe,Weerasinghe,Ranil Wickremesinghe,the Asian Development Bank,Wickremesinghe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-19T13:57:05.146103+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"vOnzPXo51OwR","slug":"english/sri-lanka-lowers-amount-of-foreign-currency-people-can-hold","title":"Sri Lanka lowers amount of foreign currency people can hold","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/Sri_Lanka_73438_45GtP_mep.jpg","coverCaption":"Motorists queue up to buy gasoline near a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, May 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-19T11:39:20.166851+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652960356.771601, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka will lower the amount of foreign currency that individuals can hold to $10,000 from $15,000, and penalize anyone who holds foreign currency for more than three months by making it against the law, the island nation’s central bank chief announced Thursday amid the worst economic crisis in recent memory.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told reporters that people are requested to deposit excess foreign currency in a bank or convert it into local currency within two weeks of his announcement. After that time, central bank officials together with police will carry out raids, he said, adding that anyone found violating the new rules will be fined.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The move, which will be implemented under the country’s foreign exchange act, comes amid a severe shortage of foreign currency that has resulted in difficulties in paying for the import of essentials such as fuel, cooking gas, medicine and food.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy those essentials, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters were blocking main roads to demand gas and fuel, and local television channels showed people in some areas fighting each other over gas and fuel. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Weerasinghe said black-market premiums have led people to collect foreign currency bank notes and keep them at home or in vaults.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Police recently raided two unspecified places that had foreign currency notes and seized $40,000 and 50,000 euros.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy and has suspended payments on its foreign loans. Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is now almost without petrol and faces an acute shortage of other fuels as well. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to nearly four hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president’s office for more than a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation. Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once-powerful ruling family, with one of the president’s brothers resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Monday that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide the nation with essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Attacks by Rajapaksa's supporters on protesters last week sparked nationwide violence that left nine people, including a lawmaker, dead and more than 200 wounded. Many homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burned down.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters who have crowded the streets since March hold Rajapaksa and his family — who have dominated nearly every aspect of life in Sri Lanka for most of the last 20 years — responsible for the crisis.\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-19T11:39:20.166856+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"a8e805cc388132","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka will lower the amount of foreign currency that individuals can hold to $10,000 from $15,000, and penalize anyone who holds foreign currency for more than three months by making it against the law, the island nation’s central bank chief announced Thursday amid the worst economic crisis in recent memory.Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told reporters that people are requested to deposit excess foreign currency in a bank or convert it into local currency within two weeks of his announcement. After that time, central bank officials together with police will carry out raids, he said, adding that anyone found violating the new rules will be fined.The move, which will be implemented under the country’s foreign exchange act, comes amid a severe shortage of foreign currency that has resulted in difficulties in paying for the import of essentials such as fuel, cooking gas, medicine and food.For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy those essentials, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation.Protesters were blocking main roads to demand gas and fuel, and local television channels showed people in some areas fighting each other over gas and fuel. Weerasinghe said black-market premiums have led people to collect foreign currency bank notes and keep them at home or in vaults.Police recently raided two unspecified places that had foreign currency notes and seized $40,000 and 50,000 euros.The Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy and has suspended payments on its foreign loans. Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests.Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.Sri Lanka is now almost without petrol and faces an acute shortage of other fuels as well. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to nearly four hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations. Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president’s office for more than a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation. Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once-powerful ruling family, with one of the president’s brothers resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Monday that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide the nation with essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. Attacks by Rajapaksa's supporters on protesters last week sparked nationwide violence that left nine people, including a lawmaker, dead and more than 200 wounded. Many homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burned down.Protesters who have crowded the streets since March hold Rajapaksa and his family — who have dominated nearly every aspect of life in Sri Lanka for most of the last 20 years — responsible for the crisis.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,COLOMBO,Central Bank,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka's,Ranil Wickremesinghe,treasury","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-19T11:39:19.544042+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"KITKc9WiqgjP","slug":"english/lankan-pm-to-present-21st-amendment-before-cabinet-next-week-report","title":"Lankan PM to present 21st Amendment before Cabinet next week: Report","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-19T09:54:04.751522+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652954044.049599, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 19 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe plans to present the key 21st Amendment to the Constitution before the Cabinet next week, after holding wide-ranging discussions with the Attorney General and top lawmakers, a media report said on Thursday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A in the Constitution, which gives unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment that will strengthen Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" MPs Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Susil Premajayantha will examine the clauses of the 21st Amendment, and will finalise an updated version of the 19th Amendment before presenting it to the Cabinet next week, online news portal Daily Mirror reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe held closed-door meetings with members of Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as well as certain MPs from the main opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) over cabinet formation, according to the Daily Mirror.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" SJB on Monday said it would offer conditional support to the interim all-party government headed by Wickremesinghe to help tackle the country\\u2019s crippling economic and political crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe, 73, the United National Party leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister earlier this month after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Wednesday revealed that it does not have foreign exchange to pay for a vessel of petrol anchored in its waters for nearly two months as it appealed to citizens \\\"not to wait in line\\\" for fuel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-19T09:54:04.751528+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1905202219FES24","cleanText":"Colombo, May 19 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe plans to present the key 21st Amendment to the Constitution before the Cabinet next week, after holding wide-ranging discussions with the Attorney General and top lawmakers, a media report said on Thursday. The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A in the Constitution, which gives unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment that will strengthen Parliament. MPs Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Susil Premajayantha will examine the clauses of the 21st Amendment, and will finalise an updated version of the 19th Amendment before presenting it to the Cabinet next week, online news portal Daily Mirror reported. Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe held closed-door meetings with members of Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as well as certain MPs from the main opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) over cabinet formation, according to the Daily Mirror. SJB on Monday said it would offer conditional support to the interim all-party government headed by Wickremesinghe to help tackle the country’s crippling economic and political crisis. Wickremesinghe, 73, the United National Party leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister earlier this month after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions. In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament. Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people. Crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Wednesday revealed that it does not have foreign exchange to pay for a vessel of petrol anchored in its waters for nearly two months as it appealed to citizens not to wait in line for fuel. The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,SJB,Sri Lankan,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe,Susil Premajayantha,Cabinet,Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka Freedom Party","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-19T09:54:04.073102+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"pUwALAcyhnNf","slug":"english/lankan-pm-wickremesinghe-says-no-shoot-at-sight-orders-given-during-violence","title":"Lankan PM Wickremesinghe says no shoot-at-sight orders given during violence","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-19T07:39:05.336686+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652945944.304829, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 19 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday that no shoot-at-sight orders were issued to the Defence Ministry amidst violent anti-government protests in the island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On May 10, Sri Lanka\\u2019s Ministry of Defence ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic and political crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The order came after mobs had gone on the rampage attacking properties linked to the Rajapaksa family and those close to them. The attack on the properties linked to people close to former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa occured after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters in Colombo.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said that no such order has been issued in writing, the Colombo Gazette news portal reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Prime Minister said that the Police can use their discretion and open fire if there is a need to do so but there are procedures to follow.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He said that while properties belonging to some members of Parliaments had been attacked last week, a shoot-at-sight order was not issued.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Ministry of Defence had, however, announced last week that shoot-at-sight orders were issued to prevent further violence.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Police and military had been deployed in Colombo and other parts of the country after violence spread following an attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face, where the Presidential Secretariat is located.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Over eight persons were killed in the unprecedented violence that erupted after supporters of the then prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked anti-government protesters here.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Over 250 people have been injured in the violence in Colombo and other parts of the country.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"MinistryOfDefence","slug":"ministryofdefence","id":"KiTZlBZKXKuU"},{"name":"Army","slug":"army","id":"EhJBnPPw7kfe"},{"name":"Navy","slug":"navy","id":"SkdqNRxVBuGm"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-19T07:39:05.336692+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1905202219FGN27","cleanText":"Colombo, May 19 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday that no shoot-at-sight orders were issued to the Defence Ministry amidst violent anti-government protests in the island nation.On May 10, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic and political crisis.The order came after mobs had gone on the rampage attacking properties linked to the Rajapaksa family and those close to them. The attack on the properties linked to people close to former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa occured after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters in Colombo.Wickremesinghe said that no such order has been issued in writing, the Colombo Gazette news portal reported.The Prime Minister said that the Police can use their discretion and open fire if there is a need to do so but there are procedures to follow.He said that while properties belonging to some members of Parliaments had been attacked last week, a shoot-at-sight order was not issued.The Ministry of Defence had, however, announced last week that shoot-at-sight orders were issued to prevent further violence.The Police and military had been deployed in Colombo and other parts of the country after violence spread following an attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face, where the Presidential Secretariat is located.Over eight persons were killed in the unprecedented violence that erupted after supporters of the then prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked anti-government protesters here.Over 250 people have been injured in the violence in Colombo and other parts of the country.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Sri Lankan,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Parliament,the Defence Ministry,Ministry of Defence,Army,the Air Force,Navy","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-19T07:39:04.326681+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"3UA3IpZtPQNk","slug":"english/sri-lanka-misses-adb-payment-pm-tells-parliament","title":"Sri Lanka misses ADB payment, PM tells Parliament","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-18T13:24:05.580430+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652880244.787194, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday said the country has missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The ADB as well as the World Bank had just promised around 160 million each to Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe said, but the loan from the Manila-based lender was blocked.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cBecause we could not repay three million US dollars last month it is stuck,\\u201d Economy Next news service website quoted Wickremesinghe as saying.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The Prime Minister said his cabinet was \\\"finding money for that\\\".\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The ADB and the World Bank also continued to fund Sri Lanka by repurposing loans after the country was cut off from capital markets when it was downgraded to CCC.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka now faces the prospect of being locked out of multilaterals, if their repayments are not maintained, the report said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Former finance minister Ali Sabry said in Parliament that new funding would not come until the country paid the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as, the World Bank.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sabry said the failure to pay the international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank was a \\\"problem\\\".\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\\"As the Prime Minister said there are some payments due to ADB. It is a very big problem.\\u201d \\t Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" He added that the country had on April 12 decided not to pay ISBs (International Sovereign Bond) and everyone else except multilaterals because the country had no option.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sabry added that the country had to pay USD 78 million by April 18 to the ADB and USD 105 million to another Chinese bank. \\\"We announced and defaulted.\\\" \\t Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The Prime Minister then said the debt-ridden country could not even pay a million dollars. \\u201cWhether the payment is a billion or 10 billion we do not have a million to pay,\\u201d Wickremesinghe said, promising to provide statistics to the parliament soon.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Opposition legislator Harsha de Silva said the country was due to pay about USD 5.5 billion in 12 months, of which USD 2.5 billion was suspended, leaving about USD 3 billion to be repaid.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The country's central bank is also deep in debt owing money to the IMF as well as the Reserve Bank of India and swap counterparties.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka was hit by chronic monetary instability between 2015 and 2022 as money was printed to keep interest rates down under \\\"flexible inflation targeting\\\" and \\\"output gap targeting\\\", triggering three currency crises, excessive foreign borrowing, and eventual default.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe on Wednesday also told Parliament that five members of his Cabinet will soon meet to approve the appointment of financial and legal advisors to carry out discussions on debt restructuring.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cThe finance minister and I can go through the names nominated by the central bank and others for the financial and legal committees and the five members of the cabinet will approve the names,\\u201d the Prime Minister told Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The Daily Mirror website cited the prime minister making the statement in a response to remarks by Sabry who said the appointment of financial and legal advisors had come to a standstill because the island nation did not have a full cabinet at the time when the economic crisis hit the country and went into hard default of loans.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" When asked by de Silva about the cross default payments, the prime minister said that it was hard to come out with an exact amount.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Dr de Silva said: \\\"Sri Lanka is said to have gone into hard default status today... it is said that there are cross-default clauses worth more than USD 11 million. Also, Sri Lanka has failed to appoint financial and legal experts to get on with debt restructuring.\\\" \\t \\u201cSome statistics which are available are wrong. Statistics have gone haywire,\\u201d the prime minister replied.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas, and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Earlier in the day, the newly appointed prime minister told the parliament that Sri Lanka has received USD 160 Million from the World Bank and that the country is looking at the possibility of using some of the amounts to buy fuel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Angry protesters have blocked several roads here against ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis. Miles-long queues were seen around every fuel station.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister last Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Manila","slug":"manila","id":"YrRToIXkBYYM"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-18T13:24:05.580435+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1805202218FGN77","cleanText":"Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday said the country has missed a payment to the Asian Development Bank, blocking fresh funds amid warnings that the currency crisis-hit country could be locked out of multilateral funding in a new blow. The ADB as well as the World Bank had just promised around 160 million each to Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe said, but the loan from the Manila-based lender was blocked. “Because we could not repay three million US dollars last month it is stuck,” Economy Next news service website quoted Wickremesinghe as saying. The Prime Minister said his cabinet was finding money for that. The ADB and the World Bank also continued to fund Sri Lanka by repurposing loans after the country was cut off from capital markets when it was downgraded to CCC. Sri Lanka now faces the prospect of being locked out of multilaterals, if their repayments are not maintained, the report said. Former finance minister Ali Sabry said in Parliament that new funding would not come until the country paid the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as, the World Bank. Sabry said the failure to pay the international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank was a problem. As the Prime Minister said there are some payments due to ADB. It is a very big problem.” Sri Lanka has already suspended repayments for international sovereign bonds, commercial bank loans, Exim bank loans, and bilateral loans. However, multilateral lenders and senior creditors were excluded. He added that the country had on April 12 decided not to pay ISBs (International Sovereign Bond) and everyone else except multilaterals because the country had no option. Sabry added that the country had to pay USD 78 million by April 18 to the ADB and USD 105 million to another Chinese bank. We announced and defaulted. Sri Lanka is now negotiating a loan with the IMF. The country had to pay USD 106.34 million this year but only managed to pay USD 12.4 million by April. The Prime Minister then said the debt-ridden country could not even pay a million dollars. “Whether the payment is a billion or 10 billion we do not have a million to pay,” Wickremesinghe said, promising to provide statistics to the parliament soon. Opposition legislator Harsha de Silva said the country was due to pay about USD 5.5 billion in 12 months, of which USD 2.5 billion was suspended, leaving about USD 3 billion to be repaid. The country's central bank is also deep in debt owing money to the IMF as well as the Reserve Bank of India and swap counterparties. Sri Lanka was hit by chronic monetary instability between 2015 and 2022 as money was printed to keep interest rates down under flexible inflation targeting and output gap targeting, triggering three currency crises, excessive foreign borrowing, and eventual default. Wickremesinghe on Wednesday also told Parliament that five members of his Cabinet will soon meet to approve the appointment of financial and legal advisors to carry out discussions on debt restructuring. “The finance minister and I can go through the names nominated by the central bank and others for the financial and legal committees and the five members of the cabinet will approve the names,” the Prime Minister told Parliament. The Daily Mirror website cited the prime minister making the statement in a response to remarks by Sabry who said the appointment of financial and legal advisors had come to a standstill because the island nation did not have a full cabinet at the time when the economic crisis hit the country and went into hard default of loans. When asked by de Silva about the cross default payments, the prime minister said that it was hard to come out with an exact amount. Dr de Silva said: Sri Lanka is said to have gone into hard default status today... it is said that there are cross-default clauses worth more than USD 11 million. Also, Sri Lanka has failed to appoint financial and legal experts to get on with debt restructuring. “Some statistics which are available are wrong. Statistics have gone haywire,” the prime minister replied. Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas, and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people. Earlier in the day, the newly appointed prime minister told the parliament that Sri Lanka has received USD 160 Million from the World Bank and that the country is looking at the possibility of using some of the amounts to buy fuel. Angry protesters have blocked several roads here against ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis. Miles-long queues were seen around every fuel station. The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month. On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister last Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Parliament,the World Bank,Wickremesinghe,ADB,Sri Lankan,Ranil Wickremesinghe,the Asian Development Bank,Manila,Economy Next","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-18T13:24:04.800656+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"zsUfR2ALKoZQ","slug":"english/no-money-to-buy-petrol-says-lankan-govt-as-it-urges-citizens-not-to-queue-up-for-fuel","title":"No money to buy petrol, says Lankan govt as it urges citizens not to queue up for fuel","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-18T10:09:06.197318+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652868545.4425, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Wednesday revealed that it does not have foreign exchange to pay for a vessel of petrol anchored in its waters for nearly two months as it appealed to citizens \\\"not to wait in line\\\" for fuel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" However, the country has received sufficient stocks of diesel, the government said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Since March 28, a vessel with petrol has been anchored in Sri Lankan waters, power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament, confirming that the country is facing an issue of petrol availability, online portal newsfirst.lk reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cWe do not have US dollars to make the payment for the vessel with petrol,\\\" he said, adding that another USD 53 million is due for the same vessel for a previous shipment in January 2022.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The minister said the shipping company concerned has refused to release the vessel until both the payments are settled.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wijesekera said following an assurance from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to make the previous payment, the company had agreed to release the current vessel after the due payment is made.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" However, \\u201cwe are yet to source the fund for this purpose,\\u201d he said, adding that the ministry is working towards releasing the vessel either on Wednesday or Thursday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cThis is why we requested the people not to wait in line for fuel. There is no issue with diesel. But, please do not stay in line for petrol. We have limited stocks of petrol and are trying to distribute it accordingly for essential services, especially ambulances,\\u201d the minister said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cWe apologise for this. We understand that three-wheelers can only operate with the daily fuel purchases. We appeal to the public not to remain in line for fuel on Wednesday and Thursday,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The minister also appealed to the people to stop stockpiling fuel, as there is no way of delivering petrol for the next two days.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wijesekera said it would take another three days from Friday to complete the distribution of petrol to all filling stations.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cOf the 67 proposals made to the ministry on fuel purchases, 39 were identified as practically applicable in Sri Lanka,\\u201d he said, adding that no matter what proposal is made, the country cannot import petrol without opening the letter of credit.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" A letter of credit, also known as a documentary credit or bankers commercial credit, or letter of undertaking, is a payment mechanism used in international trade to provide an economic guarantee from a creditworthy bank to an exporter of goods.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wijesekera said Sri Lanka has received sufficient stocks of diesel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cOn Tuesday, we distributed super diesel and auto diesel to all the filling stations in the country. We hope to ensure the continuous supply of diesel from today (Wednesday) to all the 1,190 active filling stations in the country, although there are 1,300 filling stations,\\u201d he told the House.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" For June 2022, Sri Lanka needs USD 530 million for fuel imports, the minister said, noting that even if the country receives the benefit of an Indian Credit Line, it needs over USD 500 million for fuel purchases per month, compared to the USD 150 million from two years ago.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cThe high demand for fuel and currency depreciation\\u201d can be cited as the main reasons for this, he said, revealing that Sri Lanka is to make a payment of over USD 700 million for previous shipments of fuel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Earlier this month, India extended its current credit line by a further USD 200 million to replenish Sri Lanka\\u2019s rapidly depleting fuel stocks. India has committed over USD 3 billion to the debt-ridden island nation in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that USD 160 million has been received from the World Bank and a grant from the ADB (Asian Development Bank) is also expected. However, the money received from the World Bank cannot be used to buy fuel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cWe are trying to see if we can use some of it for fuel purchases,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-18T10:09:06.197323+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1805202218FGN58","cleanText":"Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Crisis-hit Sri Lanka on Wednesday revealed that it does not have foreign exchange to pay for a vessel of petrol anchored in its waters for nearly two months as it appealed to citizens not to wait in line for fuel. However, the country has received sufficient stocks of diesel, the government said. Since March 28, a vessel with petrol has been anchored in Sri Lankan waters, power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament, confirming that the country is facing an issue of petrol availability, online portal newsfirst.lk reported. “We do not have US dollars to make the payment for the vessel with petrol, he said, adding that another USD 53 million is due for the same vessel for a previous shipment in January 2022. The minister said the shipping company concerned has refused to release the vessel until both the payments are settled. Wijesekera said following an assurance from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to make the previous payment, the company had agreed to release the current vessel after the due payment is made. However, “we are yet to source the fund for this purpose,” he said, adding that the ministry is working towards releasing the vessel either on Wednesday or Thursday. “This is why we requested the people not to wait in line for fuel. There is no issue with diesel. But, please do not stay in line for petrol. We have limited stocks of petrol and are trying to distribute it accordingly for essential services, especially ambulances,” the minister said. “We apologise for this. We understand that three-wheelers can only operate with the daily fuel purchases. We appeal to the public not to remain in line for fuel on Wednesday and Thursday, he said. The minister also appealed to the people to stop stockpiling fuel, as there is no way of delivering petrol for the next two days. Wijesekera said it would take another three days from Friday to complete the distribution of petrol to all filling stations. “Of the 67 proposals made to the ministry on fuel purchases, 39 were identified as practically applicable in Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that no matter what proposal is made, the country cannot import petrol without opening the letter of credit. A letter of credit, also known as a documentary credit or bankers commercial credit, or letter of undertaking, is a payment mechanism used in international trade to provide an economic guarantee from a creditworthy bank to an exporter of goods. Wijesekera said Sri Lanka has received sufficient stocks of diesel. “On Tuesday, we distributed super diesel and auto diesel to all the filling stations in the country. We hope to ensure the continuous supply of diesel from today (Wednesday) to all the 1,190 active filling stations in the country, although there are 1,300 filling stations,” he told the House. For June 2022, Sri Lanka needs USD 530 million for fuel imports, the minister said, noting that even if the country receives the benefit of an Indian Credit Line, it needs over USD 500 million for fuel purchases per month, compared to the USD 150 million from two years ago. “The high demand for fuel and currency depreciation” can be cited as the main reasons for this, he said, revealing that Sri Lanka is to make a payment of over USD 700 million for previous shipments of fuel. Earlier this month, India extended its current credit line by a further USD 200 million to replenish Sri Lanka’s rapidly depleting fuel stocks. India has committed over USD 3 billion to the debt-ridden island nation in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that USD 160 million has been received from the World Bank and a grant from the ADB (Asian Development Bank) is also expected. However, the money received from the World Bank cannot be used to buy fuel. “We are trying to see if we can use some of it for fuel purchases, he said. Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people. The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month. On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Lankan govt,Sri Lanka,Wijesekera,Parliament,India,the World Bank,Kanchana Wijesekera,the Central Bank of Sri Lanka,Credit Line,Ranil Wickremesinghe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-18T10:09:05.456450+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"NjLAsjHbT7XU","slug":"english/sri-lanka-receives-usd-160-mln-from-world-bank-pm-says-looking-at-possibility-of-using-some-of-it-to-buy-fuel","title":"Sri Lanka receives USD 160 mln from World Bank; PM says looking at possibility of using some of it to buy fuel","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-18T07:27:06.605079+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652858825.7832, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Sri Lanka has received USD 160 Million from the World Bank and is looking at the possibility of using some of it to buy fuel, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday, as protests continued in the country against the ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"160 million dollars has been received from the World Bank and a grant from the ADB (Asian Development Bank) is also expected,\\\" Wickremesinghe said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He said the money received from the World Bank cannot be used to buy fuel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe are trying to see if we can use some of it for fuel purchases,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe in his address to the nation on Monday said that two more petrol shipments under the Indian credit line were due this week and by May 29.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"His remarks came as angry protesters blocked several roads here on Wednesday as part of the protest against ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Miles-long queues were seen around every fuel station.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Kanchana Wijesekera, the energy minister, said there was no petrol in stock and it would only be by the weekend that petrol would be available at pumping stations.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe have not got dollars to get a petrol shipment released and we only have very little petrol stock for essential service. We are sorry for that. Please do not wait in queues. It will take another three days for distribution,\\\" Wijesekera told Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He said there are adequate supplies of diesel.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wijesekera said USD 53 million for a petrol shipment that was delivered in January had not been paid since the end of March.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wijesekera said cooking gas unloading was hindered by prevailing bad weather due to the monsoon rains.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"WorldBank","slug":"worldbank","id":"95olQYvbAZlf"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-18T07:27:06.605084+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1805202218FGN42","cleanText":"Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Sri Lanka has received USD 160 Million from the World Bank and is looking at the possibility of using some of it to buy fuel, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday, as protests continued in the country against the ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis.160 million dollars has been received from the World Bank and a grant from the ADB (Asian Development Bank) is also expected, Wickremesinghe said.He said the money received from the World Bank cannot be used to buy fuel.“We are trying to see if we can use some of it for fuel purchases, he said.Wickremesinghe in his address to the nation on Monday said that two more petrol shipments under the Indian credit line were due this week and by May 29.His remarks came as angry protesters blocked several roads here on Wednesday as part of the protest against ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis.Miles-long queues were seen around every fuel station.Kanchana Wijesekera, the energy minister, said there was no petrol in stock and it would only be by the weekend that petrol would be available at pumping stations.“We have not got dollars to get a petrol shipment released and we only have very little petrol stock for essential service. We are sorry for that. Please do not wait in queues. It will take another three days for distribution, Wijesekera told Parliament.He said there are adequate supplies of diesel.Wijesekera said USD 53 million for a petrol shipment that was delivered in January had not been paid since the end of March.Wijesekera said cooking gas unloading was hindered by prevailing bad weather due to the monsoon rains.Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,World Bank,the World Bank,Wijesekera,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Parliament,Asian Development Bank,Kanchana Wijesekera,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Mahinda Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-18T07:27:05.796113+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"5EOD01Hrn0TX","slug":"english/opposition-motion-to-censure-president-was-poor-parliamentary-strategy-says-sri-lankan-pm","title":"Opposition motion to censure President was poor Parliamentary strategy, says Sri Lankan PM","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-17T15:33:04.564644+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652801583.859713, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 17 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday that the Opposition's move to introduce a motion to censure President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a poor parliamentary strategy, hours after the ruling party blocked a no-confidence motion in the Parliament against the embattled President.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Motion of Displeasure tabled by the Opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M A Sumanthiran to censure President Rajapaksa was defeated 119-68 in a deeply-divided Parliament, amidst nationwide protests demanding his resignation due to the hardship faced by the people in the wake of worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"This was not a vote on the Motion of Displeasure against the President. This was a vote to suspend all Parliament proceedings and immediately debate the Motion of Displeasure,\\\" Wickremesinghe said in a series of tweets.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old leader said that he advised Sumanthiran on Monday that this would be self-defeating, as government MPs who were wanting to debate the attacks on their houses would not vote in favour to immediately debate the Motion of Displeasure.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"It would have been better to allow the debate on the attacks to take place today, and in a few days time these Government MPs would be compelled to vote in favour of the symbolic Motion of Displeasure,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"Now President's MPs would use the defeat of this vote as an opportunity to block the Motion of Displeasure being taken up at a later date,\\\" said Wickremesinghe who was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation after violence following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters on May 9.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"With the Motion of Displeasure, the Opposition sought to demonstrate how nationwide calls for President Rajapaksa\\u2019s resignation is reflected in the country\\u2019s 225-member legislature.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"It would be best if the Opposition used a better strategic approach going forward. Nevertheless, wish to reaffirm our commitment to vote in favour of the motion as communicated earlier last week,\\\" he added.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has refused to quit, appointed Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister last week and said a young Cabinet under him would introduce key constitutional reforms to curb his powers, amid protests over the nation's worst economic crisis that ousted his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa who is under protection at a naval base following violent attacks on his aides. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-17T15:33:04.564650+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1705202217FGN82","cleanText":"Colombo, May 17 (PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday that the Opposition's move to introduce a motion to censure President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a poor parliamentary strategy, hours after the ruling party blocked a no-confidence motion in the Parliament against the embattled President.The Motion of Displeasure tabled by the Opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M A Sumanthiran to censure President Rajapaksa was defeated 119-68 in a deeply-divided Parliament, amidst nationwide protests demanding his resignation due to the hardship faced by the people in the wake of worst economic crisis.This was not a vote on the Motion of Displeasure against the President. This was a vote to suspend all Parliament proceedings and immediately debate the Motion of Displeasure, Wickremesinghe said in a series of tweets.The 73-year-old leader said that he advised Sumanthiran on Monday that this would be self-defeating, as government MPs who were wanting to debate the attacks on their houses would not vote in favour to immediately debate the Motion of Displeasure.It would have been better to allow the debate on the attacks to take place today, and in a few days time these Government MPs would be compelled to vote in favour of the symbolic Motion of Displeasure, he said.Now President's MPs would use the defeat of this vote as an opportunity to block the Motion of Displeasure being taken up at a later date, said Wickremesinghe who was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation after violence following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters on May 9.With the Motion of Displeasure, the Opposition sought to demonstrate how nationwide calls for President Rajapaksa’s resignation is reflected in the country’s 225-member legislature.It would be best if the Opposition used a better strategic approach going forward. Nevertheless, wish to reaffirm our commitment to vote in favour of the motion as communicated earlier last week, he added.Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has refused to quit, appointed Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister last week and said a young Cabinet under him would introduce key constitutional reforms to curb his powers, amid protests over the nation's worst economic crisis that ousted his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa who is under protection at a naval base following violent attacks on his aides.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"the Motion of Displeasure,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Rajapaksa,Parliament,Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka,Sri Lankan,Ranil Wickremesinghe,The Motion of Displeasure,the Opposition Tamil National Alliance","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-17T15:33:03.882491+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"QeZtK0Fd6rQt","slug":"english/censure-vote-vs-sri-lankan-leader-fails-as-crisis-simmers","title":"Censure vote vs Sri Lankan leader fails as crisis simmers","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/Sri_Lanka_24686_A6C64nmuG.jpg","coverCaption":"Police officers man a barricade at the entrance to the Sri Lankan parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-17T09:45:30.098811+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652780724.151941, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's ruling party on Tuesday defeated a move in Parliament to urgently debate a motion censuring President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the nation's worst economic crisis, which the prime minister said has left enough gasoline stocks for only a day. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"It's unclear when the motion will be taken up again. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"It doesn't legally bound Rajapaksa to quit, but his refusal to do so has already roiled Sri Lanka, which is on the brink of bankruptcy as it negotiates with other countries and institutions an economic lifeline to be able to import basic supplies, medicines and fuel. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"M.A Sumanthiran, a lawmaker from the opposition Tamil National Alliance, proposed that Parliament bypass the usual procedure to take up the motion against Rajapaksa urgently. But the ruling party defeated the motion with a 119-68 vote. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president's office for more than a month calling for Rajapaksa's resignation. Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once powerful ruling family with the president's one brother resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday evening, the new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, offered a somber assessment of the country's dire situation. He said that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide the nation with essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"“At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day,” he said in a televised speech. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"“The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives,\\\" he said. “I have no desire to hide the truth and to lie to the public. Although these facts are unpleasant and terrifying, this is the true situation. For a short period, our future will be even more difficult than the tough times that we have passed.” \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Attacks on peaceful protests last week sparked countrywide violence that left nine people, including a lawmaker, dead and 200 wounded. Many homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burnt down.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The motion accuses Rajapaksa of being responsible for the economic crisis by introducing untimely tax cuts and prohibiting the use of chemical fertilizers, which resulted in crop failures. It also says that the president mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic using it for militarization, promotion of non-scientific solutions and making unfavorable deals on vaccines.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The foreign currency shortage has limited imports resulting in long lines for milk, fuel, cooking gas and medicines. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said Monday that the lack of diesel will be resolved to some extent with shipments from India. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"For over 40 days, three ships with crude oil and furnace oil have been anchored within the maritime zone of Sri Lanka. We are working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for these shipments,” he said.\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-17T09:45:30.098816+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"7227c73b1afb85","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's ruling party on Tuesday defeated a move in Parliament to urgently debate a motion censuring President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the nation's worst economic crisis, which the prime minister said has left enough gasoline stocks for only a day. It's unclear when the motion will be taken up again. It doesn't legally bound Rajapaksa to quit, but his refusal to do so has already roiled Sri Lanka, which is on the brink of bankruptcy as it negotiates with other countries and institutions an economic lifeline to be able to import basic supplies, medicines and fuel. M.A Sumanthiran, a lawmaker from the opposition Tamil National Alliance, proposed that Parliament bypass the usual procedure to take up the motion against Rajapaksa urgently. But the ruling party defeated the motion with a 119-68 vote. Protesters have occupied the entrance to the president's office for more than a month calling for Rajapaksa's resignation. Months of anti-government rallies have led to the near-dismantling of the once powerful ruling family with the president's one brother resigning as prime minister, and other siblings and a nephew leaving their Cabinet posts. Protesters accuse the Rajapaksas of triggering the crisis through corruption and misrule.On Monday evening, the new prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, offered a somber assessment of the country's dire situation. He said that about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide the nation with essential items, but the country’s treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. “At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day,” he said in a televised speech. “The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives, he said. “I have no desire to hide the truth and to lie to the public. Although these facts are unpleasant and terrifying, this is the true situation. For a short period, our future will be even more difficult than the tough times that we have passed.” Attacks on peaceful protests last week sparked countrywide violence that left nine people, including a lawmaker, dead and 200 wounded. Many homes of lawmakers and their supporters were burnt down.The motion accuses Rajapaksa of being responsible for the economic crisis by introducing untimely tax cuts and prohibiting the use of chemical fertilizers, which resulted in crop failures. It also says that the president mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic using it for militarization, promotion of non-scientific solutions and making unfavorable deals on vaccines.Sri Lanka has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country’s total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.The foreign currency shortage has limited imports resulting in long lines for milk, fuel, cooking gas and medicines. Wickremesinghe said Monday that the lack of diesel will be resolved to some extent with shipments from India. For over 40 days, three ships with crude oil and furnace oil have been anchored within the maritime zone of Sri Lanka. We are working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for these shipments,” he said.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Parliament,COLOMBO,Sri Lanka's,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,M.A Sumanthiran,Tamil National Alliance,Cabinet,Ranil Wickremesinghe,treasury","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-17T09:45:29.223077+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"oSvvT5gmxBL5","slug":"english/amid-steep-economic-crisis-can-the-sri-lankan-government-make-payroll","title":"Amid steep economic crisis, can the Sri Lankan government make payroll?","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_gV0VOJebG.jpg","coverCaption":"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sr Lanka's prime minister for the sixth time. (Photo Credit: PTI)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-17T06:34:13.354712+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe new administration is aiming to privatise Sri Lankan Airlines\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe Sri Lankan PM also said he was forced to print money to pay salaries, which will pressure the nation's currency\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe Sri Lankan PM is yet to appoint a finance minister to lead bailout talks with the\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1652769251957,\\\"strCount\\\":3434,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The Sri Lankan government is planning to sell its national airline to stem losses, part of efforts to stabilise the nation's finances even as authorities are forced to print money to pay government salaries.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"It is reported that the new administration is aiming to privatise Sri Lankan Airlines. The carrier lost 45 billion rupees ($124 million) in the year ending March 2021, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said just days before the nation is set to formally default on foreign debt.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/no-petrol-15-hour-power-cuts-reduced-revenue-wickremesinghe-on-state-of-sri-lanka-economy\\\\\\\"\u003eNo petrol, 15 hr power cuts, reduced revenue: Sri Lanka PM on economic woes\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"It should not be that this loss has to be borne by the poorest of the poor who have not set foot in an aircraft,\\\\\\\" Wickremesinghe said.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The Sri Lankan PM also said he was forced to print money to pay salaries, which will pressure the nation's currency.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"The nation has only one day's stock of gasoline and the government is working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for three ships with crude oil and furnace oil that have been anchored in Sri Lankan waters,\\\\\\\" Wickremesinghe said.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/in-first-visit-to-nepal-after-2020-border-row-pm-modi-visits-buddhas-birthplace\\\\\\\"\u003eIn first visit to Nepal after 2020 border row, PM Modi visits Buddha's birthplace\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives,\\\\\\\" Wickremesinghe added.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"We must immediately establish a national assembly or political body with the participation of all political parties to find solutions for the present crisis.\\\\\\\"\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe's appointment last week followed violent clashes between government supporters and protesters demanding Rajapaksa's resignation.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ranil-wickremesinghe-a-glimpse-into-political-career-of-sri-lankas-new-premier\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"He has yet to appoint a finance minister to lead bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund, and is seeking bridge loans from nations including \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/india\\\\\\\"\u003eIndia\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/china\\\\\\\"\u003eChina\u003c/a\u003e. It's unclear if the government will get the cash in the absence of a full cabinet.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Sri Lanka is sliding into a default as the grace period on two unpaid foreign bonds ends on Wednesday, the latest blow to a country rattled by economic pain and social unrest.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The nation's dollar bonds edged higher on Monday, though they remained deep in distressed territory. The extra yield investors demand to hold the sovereign notes over US Treasuries narrowed 22 basis points to 37.29 percentage points, according to JPMorgan Chase \u0026amp; Co. data.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ranil-wickremesinghe-sri-lankas-new-prime-minister-vows-to-improve-relations-with-india\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister, vows to improve relations with India\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In 2010, the government in \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/colombo\\\\\\\"\u003eColombo\u003c/a\u003e bought back a stake in Sri Lankan Airlines from Dubai's Emirates.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The national carrier, which has a fleet of 25 \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/airbus\\\\\\\"\u003eAirbus\u003c/a\u003e SE planes, flies to destinations in Europe, the Middle East as well as South and Southeast Asia, according to FlightRadar24.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Ajay Joseph","photo":null,"username":"ajay4396","id":"LFYsY6JozEMx","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"China","slug":"china","id":"gtTvlJMpH5eQ"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"Dubai","slug":"dubai","id":"pgzaGFxoBMek"},{"name":"Airbus","slug":"airbus","id":"OdzL0vmcxzIk"},{"name":"Europe","slug":"europe","id":"v2KXw3fOql0S"},{"name":"Asia","slug":"asia","id":"QzdhnKXHT05r"},{"name":"IndiaNews","slug":"indianews","id":"hmzqkpDB7jEj"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Ajay Joseph","id":"LFYsY6JozEMx","username":"ajay4396"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-17T06:34:12.322694+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"The Sri Lankan government is planning to sell its national airline to stem losses, part of efforts to stabilise the nation's finances even as authorities are forced to print money to pay government salaries. It is reported that the new administration is aiming to privatise Sri Lankan Airlines. The carrier lost 45 billion rupees ($124 million) in the year ending March 2021, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said just days before the nation is set to formally default on foreign debt. Also read: No petrol, 15 hr power cuts, reduced revenue: Sri Lanka PM on economic woes,It should not be that this loss has to be borne by the poorest of the poor who have not set foot in an aircraft, Wickremesinghe said. The Sri Lankan PM also said he was forced to print money to pay salaries, which will pressure the nation's currency. The nation has only one day's stock of gasoline and the government is working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for three ships with crude oil and furnace oil that have been anchored in Sri Lankan waters, Wickremesinghe said. Also read: In first visit to Nepal after 2020 border row, PM Modi visits Buddha's birthplace,The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives, Wickremesinghe added. We must immediately establish a national assembly or political body with the participation of all political parties to find solutions for the present crisis. Wickremesinghe's appointment last week followed violent clashes between government supporters and protesters demanding Rajapaksa's resignation. Also read: Ranil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier,He has yet to appoint a finance minister to lead bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund, and is seeking bridge loans from nations including India and China. It's unclear if the government will get the cash in the absence of a full cabinet. Sri Lanka is sliding into a default as the grace period on two unpaid foreign bonds ends on Wednesday, the latest blow to a country rattled by economic pain and social unrest. The nation's dollar bonds edged higher on Monday, though they remained deep in distressed territory. The extra yield investors demand to hold the sovereign notes over US Treasuries narrowed 22 basis points to 37.29 percentage points, according to JPMorgan Chase \u0026 Co. data. Also read: Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister, vows to improve relations with India,In 2010, the government in Colombo bought back a stake in Sri Lankan Airlines from Dubai's Emirates. The national carrier, which has a fleet of 25 Airbus SE planes, flies to destinations in Europe, the Middle East as well as South and Southeast Asia, according to FlightRadar24.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Wickremesinghe,Sri Lankan Airlines,Ranil Wickremesinghe,The Sri Lankan PM,Sri Lankan,the International Monetary Fund,India,China,Sri Lanka,US Treasuries,JPMorgan Chase,Colombo,Dubai,Airbus,Europe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-17T06:34:12.322701+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"POQnvCYSfNIS","slug":"english/sri-lankas-cabinet-convenes-crucial-parliament-session","title":"Sri Lanka's Cabinet convenes crucial Parliament session","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-17T06:09:04.955036+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652767744.108974, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 17 (PTI) Sri Lanka's Parliament met for a crucial session on Tuesday, the first after the appointment of new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the country looks to undertake major constitutional reforms amid the worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Parliament session began with mourning the murder of ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lawmaker Amarakeerthi Athukorala, who was killed along with his personal security officer during clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country last week.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The primary task in Tuesday's session was to select a suitable candidate for Deputy Speaker.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament was left vacant after Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya stepped down from the post.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party nominated Rohini Kaviratne, while the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party nominated Ajith Rajapaksa for the post of Deputy Speaker.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"However, a majority of the parliamentarians called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to terminate a secret vote without wasting time and money, and instruct the Opposition leader and the prime minister to reach common ground on a suitable candidate, preferably a female candidate as requested by the premier.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Leader of the National Freedom Front Wimal Weerawansa slammed the call for a vote stating that a voting process costs Rs 9 million from the taxpayers' money and by doing so, the entire Parliament becomes a joke in front of the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Lawmaker Nimal Lanza from the Independent group of MPs threatened to walk out of the chamber if a vote is called for, while former president Maithripala Sirisena and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party said the SLFP lawmakers would cast invalid votes if a vote goes ahead.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The speaker, however, opted for the secret vote.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"It is the first session of Parliament after the appointment of Wickremesinghe as Sri Lankan Prime Minister after the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as premier.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe on Sunday said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the presidential powers will be discussed with the Attorney General\\u2019s Department on Monday so that it can be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters in the streets seek a change in the country's political system.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The government under Gotabaya Rajapaksa took some decisions like banning chemical fertiliser imports in favour of organic farming and resisting turning to the International Monetary Fund which led to the country's worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-17T06:09:04.955042+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1705202217FGN32","cleanText":"Colombo, May 17 (PTI) Sri Lanka's Parliament met for a crucial session on Tuesday, the first after the appointment of new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the country looks to undertake major constitutional reforms amid the worst economic crisis.The Parliament session began with mourning the murder of ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lawmaker Amarakeerthi Athukorala, who was killed along with his personal security officer during clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country last week.The primary task in Tuesday's session was to select a suitable candidate for Deputy Speaker.The post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament was left vacant after Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya stepped down from the post.The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party nominated Rohini Kaviratne, while the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party nominated Ajith Rajapaksa for the post of Deputy Speaker.However, a majority of the parliamentarians called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to terminate a secret vote without wasting time and money, and instruct the Opposition leader and the prime minister to reach common ground on a suitable candidate, preferably a female candidate as requested by the premier.Leader of the National Freedom Front Wimal Weerawansa slammed the call for a vote stating that a voting process costs Rs 9 million from the taxpayers' money and by doing so, the entire Parliament becomes a joke in front of the people.Lawmaker Nimal Lanza from the Independent group of MPs threatened to walk out of the chamber if a vote is called for, while former president Maithripala Sirisena and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party said the SLFP lawmakers would cast invalid votes if a vote goes ahead.The speaker, however, opted for the secret vote.It is the first session of Parliament after the appointment of Wickremesinghe as Sri Lankan Prime Minister after the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as premier.Wickremesinghe on Sunday said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the presidential powers will be discussed with the Attorney General’s Department on Monday so that it can be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.Protesters in the streets seek a change in the country's political system.The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president.The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament.The government under Gotabaya Rajapaksa took some decisions like banning chemical fertiliser imports in favour of organic farming and resisting turning to the International Monetary Fund which led to the country's worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948.A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On May 9, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka's,Cabinet,Parliament,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka,Podujana Peramuna,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,SLPP,Amarakeerthi Athukorala","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-17T06:09:04.129242+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"EoV7UbRh4ssu","slug":"english/no-petrol-15-hour-power-cuts-reduced-revenue-wickremesinghe-on-state-of-sri-lanka-economy","title":"No petrol, 15 hr power cuts, reduced revenue: Sri Lanka PM on economic woes","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_zZuwvWtMC.jpg","coverCaption":"Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Sri Lanka on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@ANI)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T15:05:15.165401+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday laid out the economic reality facing the country\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHe said the next few months would be extremely difficult\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSri Lanka is facing fuel and medicine shortage and is out of money for imports\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1652713514540,\\\"strCount\\\":3146,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/srilanka\\\\\\\"\u003eSri Lanka\u003c/a\u003e Prime Minister \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/who-is-ranil-wickremesinghe\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe\u003c/a\u003e delivered his \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lanka-pm-likely-to-provide-full-explanation-of-financial-crisis-today\\\\\\\"\u003efirst address\u003c/a\u003e to the nation on Monday and laid out the economic reality facing the country.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives. We must prepare ourselves to make some sacrifices and face the challenges of this period,\\\\\\\" the newly appointed PM said in his address, highlighting the hurdles facing Sri Lanka in the months to come.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eAlso read |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/b\u003e\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ranil-wickremesinghe-sri-lankas-new-prime-minister-vows-to-improve-relations-with-india\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister, vows to improve relations with India\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Here are some of the key takeaways from his speech.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"1. Commenting on the state of the economy, Wickremesinghe said that the country's budget deficit stood at a dangerous 13% of GDP, adding that the former government's revenue estimate of SLR 2.3 trillion was wrong: the revised projection for this year is SRL 1.6 trillion, Wickremesinghe said.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"2. Sri Lanka has a day's worth of petrol stocks left, the PM said, adding that two shipments of petrol and diesel each using Indian credit lines could help the country get some relief for the next few days.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eAlso read |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/b\u003e\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/who-loves-xi-manchurian-slander-weighs-heavily-on-australian-polls\\\\\\\"\u003eWho loves Xi? ‘Manchurian’ slander weighs heavily on Australian polls\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"3. Wickremesinghe added that Sri Lanka needed to secure at least $75 million in foreign exchange within the next few days to pay for essential imports such as fuel and medicine to keep the country running.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"4. In light of the lack of diminishing oil stocks, which accounts for about a quarter of Sri Lanka's electricity production, the PM said daily power outages could reach 15 hours in the coming days. He added that the country needed to secure $20 million to provide gas to consumers.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eAlso read |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/b\u003e\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/will-sri-lankas-political-unrest-disrupt-international-cricket\\\\\\\"\u003eWill Sri Lanka's political unrest disrupt international cricket?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"5. Wickremesinghe further said that Sri Lanka had run out of money to pay the 1.4 million civil servants in the payroll of the administration.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"6. However, the PM said that money would be printed in limited capacities to pay government salaries and pay for essentials. He warned of a rise in short term inflation too.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eAlso read |\u0026nbsp;\u003c/b\u003e\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ranil-wickremesinghe-a-glimpse-into-political-career-of-sri-lankas-new-premier\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"7. Wickremesinghe also proposed the privatisation of Sri Lankan Airlines, which has racked up SLR 375 billion in debt.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"8. Finally, he proposed to set up a national council consisting of all political parties to work together to find a solution to the country's economic woes.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Shiladitya Ray","photo":"","username":"shiladitya","id":"8PsQOset1365","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Economy","slug":"economy","id":"5VhOB45vqxj9"},{"name":"Asia","slug":"asia","id":"QzdhnKXHT05r"},{"name":"World","slug":"world","id":"iEhRQcab92b8"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Shiladitya Ray","id":"8PsQOset1365","username":"shiladitya"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T15:01:33.815948+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered his first address to the nation on Monday and laid out the economic reality facing the country. The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives. We must prepare ourselves to make some sacrifices and face the challenges of this period, the newly appointed PM said in his address, highlighting the hurdles facing Sri Lanka in the months to come. Also read | Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister, vows to improve relations with India,Here are some of the key takeaways from his speech. 1. Commenting on the state of the economy, Wickremesinghe said that the country's budget deficit stood at a dangerous 13% of GDP, adding that the former government's revenue estimate of SLR 2.3 trillion was wrong: the revised projection for this year is SRL 1.6 trillion, Wickremesinghe said. 2. Sri Lanka has a day's worth of petrol stocks left, the PM said, adding that two shipments of petrol and diesel each using Indian credit lines could help the country get some relief for the next few days. Also read | Who loves Xi? ‘Manchurian’ slander weighs heavily on Australian polls,3. Wickremesinghe added that Sri Lanka needed to secure at least $75 million in foreign exchange within the next few days to pay for essential imports such as fuel and medicine to keep the country running. 4. In light of the lack of diminishing oil stocks, which accounts for about a quarter of Sri Lanka's electricity production, the PM said daily power outages could reach 15 hours in the coming days. He added that the country needed to secure $20 million to provide gas to consumers. Also read | Will Sri Lanka's political unrest disrupt international cricket?,5. Wickremesinghe further said that Sri Lanka had run out of money to pay the 1.4 million civil servants in the payroll of the administration. 6. However, the PM said that money would be printed in limited capacities to pay government salaries and pay for essentials. He warned of a rise in short term inflation too. Also read | Ranil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier,7. Wickremesinghe also proposed the privatisation of Sri Lankan Airlines, which has racked up SLR 375 billion in debt. 8. Finally, he proposed to set up a national council consisting of all political parties to work together to find a solution to the country's economic woes.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Wickremesinghe,Ranil Wickremesinghe,PM,Indian,Sri Lanka's,Sri Lankan Airlines","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T15:01:33.815941+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"bKNQ8xpk0cQ2","slug":"english/sri-lanka-proposes-privatizing-national-airline-amid-crisis","title":"Sri Lanka proposes privatizing national airline amid crisis","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/Sri_Lanka_65848_YtdEfa22VY.jpg","coverCaption":"A Sri Lankan Airlines plane carrying remains of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan employee who was lynched by a Muslim mob in Sialkot arrives as a security officers guards the area in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 6, 2021. Sri Lanka’s prime minister on Monday proposed to privatize the country’s loss-making national carrier as part of reforms to solve the country worst economic crisis in recent memory. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T14:48:19.637170+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652712494.528768, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s new prime minister on Monday proposed privatizing the country’s loss-making national airline as part of reforms aimed at solving the country worst economic crisis in decades.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he plans to propose a special relief budget that will take the place of the development-oriented budget earlier approved for this year, He said in a special statement to the nation that it would channel all funds allocated for infrastructure development to public welfare.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He said the country's financial health is so poor that the government has been forced to print money to pay the salaries of government workers and buy other goods and services.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Wickremesinghe as prime minister last Thursday in a bid to quell the island nation’s political and economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The president’s brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, stepped down as prime minister on May 9 amid violence that left nine people dead and more than 200 wounded. Protesters have demanded the powerful Rajapaksa family resign to take responsibility for leading the country into the economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"For months, Sri Lankans have been forced to wait in long lines to purchase scarce imported essentials such as medicines, fuel, cooking gas and food because of a severe shortage of foreign currency. Government revenues have also plunged.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said Sri Lankan Airlines lost about $123 million in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which ended in March, and its aggregate losses exceeded $1 billion as of March 2021.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"“Even if we privatize Sri Lankan Airlines, this is a loss that we must bear. You must be aware that this is a loss that must be borne even by the poor people of this country who have never stepped on an airplane,” Wickremesinghe said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country's total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide people with essential items, but the country's treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Shortages of medicines are so acute that it is difficult to buy anti-rabies medicines and drugs to treat heart disease, he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"“I have no desire to hide the truth and to lie to the public. Although these facts are unpleasant and terrifying, this is the true situation. For a short period, our future will be even more difficult than the tough times that we have passed,” Wickremesinghe said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"“We will face considerable challenges and adversity. However, this period will not be long,\\\" he said, adding that countries with which he has spoken have pledged to help in the next few months.\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T14:48:19.637175+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"8d676e16bff8f0","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s new prime minister on Monday proposed privatizing the country’s loss-making national airline as part of reforms aimed at solving the country worst economic crisis in decades.Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he plans to propose a special relief budget that will take the place of the development-oriented budget earlier approved for this year, He said in a special statement to the nation that it would channel all funds allocated for infrastructure development to public welfare.He said the country's financial health is so poor that the government has been forced to print money to pay the salaries of government workers and buy other goods and services.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Wickremesinghe as prime minister last Thursday in a bid to quell the island nation’s political and economic crisis.The president’s brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, stepped down as prime minister on May 9 amid violence that left nine people dead and more than 200 wounded. Protesters have demanded the powerful Rajapaksa family resign to take responsibility for leading the country into the economic crisis.For months, Sri Lankans have been forced to wait in long lines to purchase scarce imported essentials such as medicines, fuel, cooking gas and food because of a severe shortage of foreign currency. Government revenues have also plunged.Wickremesinghe said Sri Lankan Airlines lost about $123 million in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which ended in March, and its aggregate losses exceeded $1 billion as of March 2021.“Even if we privatize Sri Lankan Airlines, this is a loss that we must bear. You must be aware that this is a loss that must be borne even by the poor people of this country who have never stepped on an airplane,” Wickremesinghe said.Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repayment of about $7 billion in foreign loans due this year out of $25 billion to be repaid by 2026. The country's total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.Wickremesinghe said about $75 billion is needed urgently to help provide people with essential items, but the country's treasury is struggling to find even $1 billion. Shortages of medicines are so acute that it is difficult to buy anti-rabies medicines and drugs to treat heart disease, he said.“I have no desire to hide the truth and to lie to the public. Although these facts are unpleasant and terrifying, this is the true situation. For a short period, our future will be even more difficult than the tough times that we have passed,” Wickremesinghe said.“We will face considerable challenges and adversity. However, this period will not be long, he said, adding that countries with which he has spoken have pledged to help in the next few months.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Wickremesinghe,COLOMBO,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Rajapaksa,Sri Lankan Airlines,Lankan Airlines,treasury","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T14:48:18.884594+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"yWOlQEGwQGUs","slug":"english/newly-appointed-pm-wickremesinghe-says-his-aim-is-to-save-crisis-hit-sri-lanka","title":"Newly-appointed PM Wickremesinghe says his aim is to save crisis-hit Sri Lanka","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T13:30:06.589414+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652707805.890446, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 16 (PTI) Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday that his aim is to save the crisis-hit country, and not a person, family or group, in an apparent reference to the Rajapaksa family and its former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In his first televised address to the nation after becoming the prime minister last week, the 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader also said that US dollars will be sourced from open markets to pay for petrol, crude, furnace oil shipments currently in Sri Lankan waters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"My aim is to save the country,\\\" Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said. \\\"I am not here to save a person, family or group.\\\" \\tHe said a relief budget will be introduced to replace the 2022 Development Budget.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said he would propose to privatise SriLankan Airlines, which is making massive losses at present.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"SriLankan Airlines suffered a loss of Rs. 45 billion in 2021 alone. By March 31st, 2022, the total loss was Rs. 372 billion, local media reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"Even if we privatise SriLankan Airlines, we will have to incur the losses. These losses have to be borne also by the innocent people who have never stepped inside a plane,\\\" said the Prime Minister.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has refused to quit, appointed a new Prime Minister and a young Cabinet last week which would introduce key constitutional reforms to curb his powers, amid protests over the nation's worst economic crisis that ousted his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa who is under protection at a naval base following violent attacks on his aides. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T13:30:06.589421+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1605202216FGN94","cleanText":"Colombo, May 16 (PTI) Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday that his aim is to save the crisis-hit country, and not a person, family or group, in an apparent reference to the Rajapaksa family and its former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.In his first televised address to the nation after becoming the prime minister last week, the 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader also said that US dollars will be sourced from open markets to pay for petrol, crude, furnace oil shipments currently in Sri Lankan waters.Wickremesinghe was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.My aim is to save the country, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said. I am not here to save a person, family or group. He said a relief budget will be introduced to replace the 2022 Development Budget.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said he would propose to privatise SriLankan Airlines, which is making massive losses at present.SriLankan Airlines suffered a loss of Rs. 45 billion in 2021 alone. By March 31st, 2022, the total loss was Rs. 372 billion, local media reported.Even if we privatise SriLankan Airlines, we will have to incur the losses. These losses have to be borne also by the innocent people who have never stepped inside a plane, said the Prime Minister.Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has refused to quit, appointed a new Prime Minister and a young Cabinet last week which would introduce key constitutional reforms to curb his powers, amid protests over the nation's worst economic crisis that ousted his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa who is under protection at a naval base following violent attacks on his aides.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"PM Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka,SriLankan Airlines,Sri Lanka's,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Wickremesinghe,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Rajapaksa,United National Party,UNP","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T13:30:05.903488+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"WPYL1n9fsKl0","slug":"english/sri-lankas-main-opposition-decides-to-offer-conditional-support-to-new-government","title":"Sri Lanka’s main Opposition decides to offer conditional support to new government","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T12:03:05.097155+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652702584.401592, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 16 (PTI) Sri Lanka\\u2019s main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Monday said it would offer conditional support to the interim all-party government headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to help tackle the country\\u2019s crippling economic and political crisis. \\tWickremesinghe, the United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cAs a responsible political party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya believes saving the country from the current crisis is of the utmost importance,\\u201d the SJB said in a statement.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cAccordingly, without taking any portfolio and on behalf of the betterment of the country, SJB in its parliamentary group discussion today decided to fully support the current government in its efforts on economic recovery,\\u201d it said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" But the support came with certain riders.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cIf the government groups try to accommodate defections from SJB or connect SJB parliamentarians for activities that are against the SJB principles, the parliamentary group has decided to unconditionally withdraw this support,\\u201d it added.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The SJB had earlier declined to support Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of the interim all-party government, saying the 73-year-old had no mandate since he was a solo representative of his party in the 225-member Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Following his appointment last week, Wickremesinghe wrote to SJB leader Sajith Premadasa urging for bipartisanship.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cWe all know very well that Sri Lanka is facing a colossal economic, social, and political crisis. It is irrefutable that we must all unite to end this crisis that\\u2019s intensifying every day and to establish a stable economy. All of us have a historic responsibility to secure the future of the next generation, given that our actions in this moment will decide the path of this country,\\u201d Wickremesinghe wrote.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" SJB\\u2019s conditional support notwithstanding, Wickremesinghe on Monday said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the presidential powers will be discussed with the Attorney General\\u2019s Department on Monday so that it can be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\\"21st Amendment: This will be taken up for discussion with the Attorney General's Department tomorrow (Monday) and then be presented to Cabinet for approval,\\\" Wickremesinghe tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe, who on Sunday held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, said the two financial institutions have pledged support to assist in procuring essential items like medicine, food and fertilisers.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the citizens.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The economic crisis has also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas from all government positions. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T12:03:05.097160+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1605202216FGN79","cleanText":"Colombo, May 16 (PTI) Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Monday said it would offer conditional support to the interim all-party government headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to help tackle the country’s crippling economic and political crisis. Wickremesinghe, the United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. “As a responsible political party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya believes saving the country from the current crisis is of the utmost importance,” the SJB said in a statement. “Accordingly, without taking any portfolio and on behalf of the betterment of the country, SJB in its parliamentary group discussion today decided to fully support the current government in its efforts on economic recovery,” it said. But the support came with certain riders. “If the government groups try to accommodate defections from SJB or connect SJB parliamentarians for activities that are against the SJB principles, the parliamentary group has decided to unconditionally withdraw this support,” it added. The SJB had earlier declined to support Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of the interim all-party government, saying the 73-year-old had no mandate since he was a solo representative of his party in the 225-member Parliament. Following his appointment last week, Wickremesinghe wrote to SJB leader Sajith Premadasa urging for bipartisanship. “We all know very well that Sri Lanka is facing a colossal economic, social, and political crisis. It is irrefutable that we must all unite to end this crisis that’s intensifying every day and to establish a stable economy. All of us have a historic responsibility to secure the future of the next generation, given that our actions in this moment will decide the path of this country,” Wickremesinghe wrote. SJB’s conditional support notwithstanding, Wickremesinghe on Monday said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the presidential powers will be discussed with the Attorney General’s Department on Monday so that it can be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president. 21st Amendment: This will be taken up for discussion with the Attorney General's Department tomorrow (Monday) and then be presented to Cabinet for approval, Wickremesinghe tweeted. The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions. In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament. Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe, who on Sunday held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, said the two financial institutions have pledged support to assist in procuring essential items like medicine, food and fertilisers. Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the citizens. The economic crisis has also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas from all government positions.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"SJB,Sri Lanka,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Samagi Jana Balawegaya,Ranil Wickremesinghe,the United National Party,Sri Lanka's,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Samagi","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T12:03:04.424809+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"LMrUTqTcIJ1L","slug":"english/sri-lankan-pm-to-discuss-with-attorney-generals-office-constitutional-amendment-to-curb-presidential-powers","title":"Sri Lankan PM to discuss with Attorney General's office constitutional amendment to curb presidential powers","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T06:39:05.581466+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652683144.803186, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 16 PTI) Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the presidential powers will be discussed with the Attorney General\\u2019s Department on Monday so that it can be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The first Cabinet meeting was held on Sunday. Special attention was paid to fuel imports at the meeting.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"21st Amendment: This will be taken up for discussion with the Attorney General's Department tomorrow (Monday) and then be presented to Cabinet for approval,\\\" Wickremesinghe tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, who on Sunday held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, said the two financial institutions have pledged support to assist in procuring essential items like medicine, food and fertiliser.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He also outlined a plan to fulfil fuel requirements.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"Given the dollar scarcity at banks, we are exploring other options of securing the necessary funds to pay for the coming week\\u2019s fuel requirements,\\\" he tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"The government has secured payments for an LP Gas consignment which will begin to unload and distribute as early as possible,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is scheduled to make a special statement on Monday, his office said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"A senior spokesman said the aim was to educate the public on the current political and economic situation in the country.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"According to Daily Mirror, an online news portal, a few more Cabinet ministers of the new government are slated to be sworn-in on Monday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning for the appointment of 18 ministers in addition to himself and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, it said. Besides, there will be 30 state ministers.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Four ministers have already been sworn-in.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"According to the report, ten slots will be reserved for lawmakers of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Last Monday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T06:39:05.581471+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1605202216FGN34","cleanText":"Colombo, May 16 PTI) Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the presidential powers will be discussed with the Attorney General’s Department on Monday so that it can be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president.The first Cabinet meeting was held on Sunday. Special attention was paid to fuel imports at the meeting.21st Amendment: This will be taken up for discussion with the Attorney General's Department tomorrow (Monday) and then be presented to Cabinet for approval, Wickremesinghe tweeted.The powerful Rajapaksa family tightened their grip on power after their massive victory in the general elections in August 2020, which allowed them to amend the Constitution to restore presidential powers and install close family members in key positions.In his 2019 presidential bid, Gotabaya Rajapaksa won a convincing mandate for a presidency during which he sought full presidential powers over Parliament.Wickremesinghe, who on Sunday held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, said the two financial institutions have pledged support to assist in procuring essential items like medicine, food and fertiliser.He also outlined a plan to fulfil fuel requirements.Given the dollar scarcity at banks, we are exploring other options of securing the necessary funds to pay for the coming week’s fuel requirements, he tweeted.The government has secured payments for an LP Gas consignment which will begin to unload and distribute as early as possible, he said.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is scheduled to make a special statement on Monday, his office said.A senior spokesman said the aim was to educate the public on the current political and economic situation in the country.According to Daily Mirror, an online news portal, a few more Cabinet ministers of the new government are slated to be sworn-in on Monday.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning for the appointment of 18 ministers in addition to himself and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, it said. Besides, there will be 30 state ministers.Four ministers have already been sworn-in.According to the report, ten slots will be reserved for lawmakers of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948.A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.Last Monday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,Parliament,the Attorney General's Department,Cabinet,Rajapaksa,the World Bank,the Asian Development Bank","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T06:39:04.823906+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"ze72jDfGVhGC","slug":"english/sri-lanka-pm-likely-to-provide-full-explanation-of-financial-crisis-today","title":"Sri Lanka PM likely to provide 'full explanation' of financial crisis today","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_gV0VOJebG.jpg","coverCaption":"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sr Lanka's prime minister for the sixth time on Thursday. (Photo credit: Twitter)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T06:30:00.393206+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe will present the 'full picture' of Sri Lanka's current economic crisis\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHis government was exploring options such as securing the necessary funds to pay for immediate fuel requirements\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe’s address will come exactly one week after the resignation of his predecessor\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1652682419062,\\\"strCount\\\":2393,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to address the country on Monday, in what would be the first national address of his record sixth term as the island nation's premier.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"It is reported that Wickremesinghe will present the 'full picture' of Sri Lanka's current economic crisis, its worst since 1948 when it gained independence from \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/british\\\\\\\"\u003eBritish\u003c/a\u003e rule.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/thomas-cup-reactions-dear-mr-gavaskar-enough-with-1983-its-2022\\\\\\\"\u003eThomas Cup reactions: Dear Mr. Gavaskar, Enough with 1983, It's 2022!\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In a tweet, the United National Party (UNP) leader said, \\\\\\\"There is a lot to be done and undone. We are prioritizing matters, rest assured they shall be addressed as early as possible. We have managed to get things moving in the last 48 hours. I will provide a full explanation of the financial crisis faced by the country tomorrow.\\\\\\\"\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Regarding the fuel crisis, the 73-year-old wrote that due to a scarcity of dollars in banks, his government was exploring options such as securing the necessary funds to pay for immediate fuel requirements.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/buddha-purnima-pm-narendra-modi-recall-principles-of-lord-buddha\\\\\\\"\u003eBuddha Purnima: PM Narendra Modi recalls principles of Lord Buddha\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"On gas, he informed that his government had secured payments for a consignment, which, he said, will be unloaded and distributed ‘as soon as possible.’\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"Medicine, Food and Fertilizer: At the conclusion of our meeting today, The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have pledged support to assist in procuring essential items,\\\\\\\" Wickremesinghe also wrote.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/south-korea-offers-north-humanitarian-aid-amid-covid-19-outbreak\\\\\\\"\u003eSouth Korea offers North 'humanitarian aid' amid Covid-19 outbreak\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"On April 21, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the country’s principal opposition party, presented in \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/parliament\\\\\\\"\u003eParliament\u003c/a\u003e a draft bill of the 21st constitutional amendment. The bill proposes, among other things, the abolition of the current executive presidential system.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Meanwhile, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s address, if it happens today, will come exactly one week after the resignation of his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the older brother of the embattled President, Gotabaya.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Ajay Joseph","photo":null,"username":"ajay4396","id":"LFYsY6JozEMx","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"ThomasCup","slug":"thomascup","id":"SyxSxpVd33H5"},{"name":"British","slug":"british","id":"K4VzcWCbTUbp"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Ajay Joseph","id":"LFYsY6JozEMx","username":"ajay4396"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T06:30:00.393210+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to address the country on Monday, in what would be the first national address of his record sixth term as the island nation's premier. It is reported that Wickremesinghe will present the 'full picture' of Sri Lanka's current economic crisis, its worst since 1948 when it gained independence from British rule. Also read: Thomas Cup reactions: Dear Mr. Gavaskar, Enough with 1983, It's 2022!,In a tweet, the United National Party (UNP) leader said, There is a lot to be done and undone. We are prioritizing matters, rest assured they shall be addressed as early as possible. We have managed to get things moving in the last 48 hours. I will provide a full explanation of the financial crisis faced by the country tomorrow. Regarding the fuel crisis, the 73-year-old wrote that due to a scarcity of dollars in banks, his government was exploring options such as securing the necessary funds to pay for immediate fuel requirements. Also read: Buddha Purnima: PM Narendra Modi recalls principles of Lord Buddha,On gas, he informed that his government had secured payments for a consignment, which, he said, will be unloaded and distributed ‘as soon as possible.’,Medicine, Food and Fertilizer: At the conclusion of our meeting today, The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have pledged support to assist in procuring essential items, Wickremesinghe also wrote. Also read: South Korea offers North 'humanitarian aid' amid Covid-19 outbreak,On April 21, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the country’s principal opposition party, presented in Parliament a draft bill of the 21st constitutional amendment. The bill proposes, among other things, the abolition of the current executive presidential system. Meanwhile, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s address, if it happens today, will come exactly one week after the resignation of his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the older brother of the embattled President, Gotabaya.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,British,Thomas Cup,Gavaskar,the United National Party,Medicine, Food and Fertilizer:,The World Bank,Asian Development Bank,the Samagi Jana Balawegaya,SJB,Parliament,Mahinda Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T06:30:00+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"dngdBN76nSaT","slug":"english/sri-lankan-police-under-pressure-to-arrest-attackers-of-protesters","title":"Sri Lankan police under pressure to arrest attackers of protesters","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-16T06:03:04.951910+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652680984.196519, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 16 (PTI) Sri Lankan police on Monday came under pressure to arrest the Rajapaksa family loyalists involved in attacks on peaceful protesters last week, even as it arrested over 200 people on various charges following the violence that left nine people dead.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The clashes forced a curfew being imposed last Monday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Police have arrested some 230 people on charges including violation of curfew, attacking the public and causing damages to public and private properties since May 9.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cThe police said they have already arrested over 200 people for attacking the government politicians. We condemn such violence. But they have no hurry to arrest the government-backed attackers of protesters,\\\" Nuwan Bopage from the young lawyers\\u2019 association told reporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Attorney General too had asked the police to expedite the investigations.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The government-backed mob went berserk attacking the protesters demanding the resignations of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother and ex-premier Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 9 after the then prime minister addressed several thousands of them at his official residence while refusing to quit.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The police said at least 78 parliamentarians, including the former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had faced arson attacks on their properties.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The former premier came under siege in his official residence before being rescued to safety to a highly-secured naval base in Trincomalee.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Police have urged the public to provide information on government-backed attackers. They have arrested a worker from the ruling party-controlled municipal council of the Colombo suburb of Moratuwa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The police set up dedicated phone lines for the public to provide information on the attackers while entrusting the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) with the investigations.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The ruling party politicians have called for additional security for them as they are due to attend Parliament on Tuesday, the first since the violence broke out that killed 9 people and left over 200 people injured.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Last Monday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-16T06:03:04.951916+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1605202216FGN29","cleanText":"Colombo, May 16 (PTI) Sri Lankan police on Monday came under pressure to arrest the Rajapaksa family loyalists involved in attacks on peaceful protesters last week, even as it arrested over 200 people on various charges following the violence that left nine people dead.The clashes forced a curfew being imposed last Monday.Police have arrested some 230 people on charges including violation of curfew, attacking the public and causing damages to public and private properties since May 9.“The police said they have already arrested over 200 people for attacking the government politicians. We condemn such violence. But they have no hurry to arrest the government-backed attackers of protesters, Nuwan Bopage from the young lawyers’ association told reporters.The Attorney General too had asked the police to expedite the investigations.The government-backed mob went berserk attacking the protesters demanding the resignations of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother and ex-premier Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 9 after the then prime minister addressed several thousands of them at his official residence while refusing to quit.The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.The police said at least 78 parliamentarians, including the former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had faced arson attacks on their properties.The former premier came under siege in his official residence before being rescued to safety to a highly-secured naval base in Trincomalee.Police have urged the public to provide information on government-backed attackers. They have arrested a worker from the ruling party-controlled municipal council of the Colombo suburb of Moratuwa.The police set up dedicated phone lines for the public to provide information on the attackers while entrusting the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) with the investigations.The ruling party politicians have called for additional security for them as they are due to attend Parliament on Tuesday, the first since the violence broke out that killed 9 people and left over 200 people injured.Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.Last Monday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Mahinda Rajapaksa,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka,Rajapaksa,the Criminal Investigation Department,Parliament,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Ranil Wickremesinghe,PTI Corr NSA AKJ","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-16T06:03:04.218650+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"rAnl33PUqaST","slug":"english/lankan-pm-wickremesinghe-holds-talks-with-world-bank-adb-as-india-delivers-diesel-shipment","title":"Lankan PM Wickremesinghe holds talks with World Bank, ADB as India delivers diesel shipment","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-15T14:57:06.756650+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652626626.031069, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, as India delivered the 12th shipment of diesel containing over 400,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of fuel to the island nation which is facing its worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"12 shipments and more than 400,000 MT of fuel!! Latest consignment of #Diesel from #India under the credit line for fuel was delivered in #Colombo by Torm Helvig today,\\\" the Indian High Commission here tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, the 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader, was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Sunday, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said he held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, and the discussions focused on support for drug, food and fertiliser supply issues.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In a statement, the Prime Minister said that discussions have also been held with foreign representatives regarding the establishment of a foreign consortium for financial assistance to coincide with the meeting of the two international financial institutions.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Emphasising that the talks have been positive, the Prime Minister said that the immediate challenge for the Government is to obtain the funds required to pay for the fuel requirements for the coming week.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Due to the dollar shortage in the banks, the Government is now looking at other alternatives to raise the required funds, he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution would be discussed on Monday as he got backing from former President Maithripala Sirisena-led SLFP in the formation of the government to tackle the nation's worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 21st Amendment to the Constitution will be discussed on Monday, and will be produced to net for approval, he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The SLFP chairman and former President Sirisena has written a letter to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, saying that his party will support the formation of his government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe has also invited the Leaders of the 10 parties that quit the previous government to discuss the current political situation and said he will make an appointment after meeting them.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Rajapaksa\\u2019s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party (SLPP) has extended their support to Wickremesinghe and almost all parties represented in the 225-member Parliament have said although they wouldn\\u2019t be a party to Wickremesinghe\\u2019s government they would support him in his effort to pull Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Saturday, four ministers were appointed to the Cabinet but the Opposition parties have refused to be part of an all-party government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Earlier on Sunday, embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa called on all lawmakers to unite and work immediately for a solution to the people's pressing problems when the country is in \\\"dire straits\\\" amid the worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In his remarks on the occasion of Vesak Poya Day, the President said: \\\"We must be mindful of the current situation and unite around a programme that can deliver a fair determination to all.\\\" \\tVesak Poya Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. The three events in his life are said to have happened on the same date.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"...resilience is essential in difficult situations. At this juncture, when the country is in dire straits, all the people\\u2019s representatives must work together immediately for a solution on behalf of all citizens. The true goal should be to reach the desired target without deviating from the primary goal,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also issued a message on the occasion, stressing that the commitment to restore the lives of the people is a commitment made to Lord Buddha.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Stating that restraint and stability should be restored within Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Buddha\\u2019s Dhamma, which has the most valuable philosophical meaning, also functions as practical state political guidance.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, in his message said that Lord Buddha revealed to the world the message of making the world better through altruism instead of ambition, opportunism and selfishness.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He pointed out that the teachings of Lord Buddha can also be applied in practice in modern life.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Indian High Commission also wished all Sri Lankans on the occasion.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Meanwhile in an unusual move, Wickremesinghe extended public support to the protesters, who have been camping at a popular beachfront here for over a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation for mishandling the country's worst economic crisis. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"WorldBank","slug":"worldbank","id":"95olQYvbAZlf"},{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-15T14:57:06.756655+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1505202215FGN58","cleanText":"Colombo, May 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, as India delivered the 12th shipment of diesel containing over 400,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of fuel to the island nation which is facing its worst economic crisis.12 shipments and more than 400,000 MT of fuel!! Latest consignment of #Diesel from #India under the credit line for fuel was delivered in #Colombo by Torm Helvig today, the Indian High Commission here tweeted.Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people. The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.Wickremesinghe, the 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader, was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.On Sunday, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said he held discussions with representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the current economic crisis in the country, and the discussions focused on support for drug, food and fertiliser supply issues.In a statement, the Prime Minister said that discussions have also been held with foreign representatives regarding the establishment of a foreign consortium for financial assistance to coincide with the meeting of the two international financial institutions.Emphasising that the talks have been positive, the Prime Minister said that the immediate challenge for the Government is to obtain the funds required to pay for the fuel requirements for the coming week.Due to the dollar shortage in the banks, the Government is now looking at other alternatives to raise the required funds, he said.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution would be discussed on Monday as he got backing from former President Maithripala Sirisena-led SLFP in the formation of the government to tackle the nation's worst economic crisis.The 21st Amendment to the Constitution will be discussed on Monday, and will be produced to net for approval, he said.The SLFP chairman and former President Sirisena has written a letter to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, saying that his party will support the formation of his government. Wickremesinghe has also invited the Leaders of the 10 parties that quit the previous government to discuss the current political situation and said he will make an appointment after meeting them.Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party (SLPP) has extended their support to Wickremesinghe and almost all parties represented in the 225-member Parliament have said although they wouldn’t be a party to Wickremesinghe’s government they would support him in his effort to pull Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis.On Saturday, four ministers were appointed to the Cabinet but the Opposition parties have refused to be part of an all-party government.Earlier on Sunday, embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa called on all lawmakers to unite and work immediately for a solution to the people's pressing problems when the country is in dire straits amid the worst economic crisis.In his remarks on the occasion of Vesak Poya Day, the President said: We must be mindful of the current situation and unite around a programme that can deliver a fair determination to all. Vesak Poya Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. The three events in his life are said to have happened on the same date....resilience is essential in difficult situations. At this juncture, when the country is in dire straits, all the people’s representatives must work together immediately for a solution on behalf of all citizens. The true goal should be to reach the desired target without deviating from the primary goal, he said.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also issued a message on the occasion, stressing that the commitment to restore the lives of the people is a commitment made to Lord Buddha.Stating that restraint and stability should be restored within Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Buddha’s Dhamma, which has the most valuable philosophical meaning, also functions as practical state political guidance.The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, in his message said that Lord Buddha revealed to the world the message of making the world better through altruism instead of ambition, opportunism and selfishness.He pointed out that the teachings of Lord Buddha can also be applied in practice in modern life.The Indian High Commission also wished all Sri Lankans on the occasion.Meanwhile in an unusual move, Wickremesinghe extended public support to the protesters, who have been camping at a popular beachfront here for over a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation for mishandling the country's worst economic crisis.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Lankan PM Wickremesinghe,World Bank,India,Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka's,the World Bank,the Asian Development Bank,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-15T14:57:06.043772+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"Desyd72jOq47","slug":"english/sri-lankas-new-pm-extends-support-to-protesters-demanding-president-rajapaksas-resignation","title":"Sri Lanka's new PM extends support to protesters demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-15T06:48:06.329696+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652597285.58364, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 15 (PTI) In an unusual move, Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended public support to the protesters, who have been camping at a popular beachfront here for over a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation for mishandling the country's worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Prime Minister on Saturday said he had appointed a committee to look after the interests of the 'Gota Go Home' village protesters who have been camping at Colombo's Galle Face Green since April 9. \\tWickremesinghe, who was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as Prime Minister after asking his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa to quit, said the young protesters in the village would be safeguarded and their views would be sought for the shaping of future policy.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In an interview with the BBC Sinhala Service, the Prime Minister said the 'Gota Go Gama' protest should be continued to bring a change in the political system in the country and let the country\\u2019s youth take the responsibility to lead.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, the 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader, was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Rajapaksa\\u2019s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party (SLPP) has extended their support to Wickremesinghe and almost all parties represented in the 225-member Parliament have said although they wouldn\\u2019t be a party to Wickremesinghe\\u2019s government they would support him in his effort to pull Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Political sources said two more ministers are to be appointed to the interim Cabinet on Sunday. Rajapaksa appointed four of them on Saturday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"At least 78 parliamentarians, including the former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had faced arson attacks on their private properties during the unrest on May 9.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"At the government parliamentary group meeting held on Saturday, the attendance was low as parliamentarians still fear for their lives despite the imposition of curfew.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Those present blamed the Inspector General of Police for what they alleged as \\\"police inaction\\\" to prevent arson attacks on the properties of government parliamentarians.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-15T06:48:06.329702+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1505202215FGN23","cleanText":"Colombo, May 15 (PTI) In an unusual move, Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended public support to the protesters, who have been camping at a popular beachfront here for over a month calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation for mishandling the country's worst economic crisis.The Prime Minister on Saturday said he had appointed a committee to look after the interests of the 'Gota Go Home' village protesters who have been camping at Colombo's Galle Face Green since April 9. Wickremesinghe, who was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as Prime Minister after asking his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa to quit, said the young protesters in the village would be safeguarded and their views would be sought for the shaping of future policy.In an interview with the BBC Sinhala Service, the Prime Minister said the 'Gota Go Gama' protest should be continued to bring a change in the political system in the country and let the country’s youth take the responsibility to lead.Wickremesinghe, the 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader, was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party (SLPP) has extended their support to Wickremesinghe and almost all parties represented in the 225-member Parliament have said although they wouldn’t be a party to Wickremesinghe’s government they would support him in his effort to pull Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis.Political sources said two more ministers are to be appointed to the interim Cabinet on Sunday. Rajapaksa appointed four of them on Saturday.At least 78 parliamentarians, including the former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had faced arson attacks on their private properties during the unrest on May 9.At the government parliamentary group meeting held on Saturday, the attendance was low as parliamentarians still fear for their lives despite the imposition of curfew.Those present blamed the Inspector General of Police for what they alleged as police inaction to prevent arson attacks on the properties of government parliamentarians.Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka's,Sri Lanka,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Cabinet,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Colombo's Galle Face Green,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,the BBC Sinhala Service,Gota Go Gama'","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-15T06:48:05.597963+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"7IGAFHgZ4wLq","slug":"english/sri-lankan-president-urges-all-lawmakers-to-work-together-for-solution-when-country-is-in-dire-straits","title":"Sri Lankan President urges all lawmakers to work together for solution when country is in 'dire straits'","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-15T06:15:05.415027+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652595304.635741, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 15 (PTI) Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sunday called on all lawmakers to unite and work immediately for a solution to the people's pressing problems when the country is in \\\"dire straits\\\" amid the worst economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In his remarks on the occasion of Vesak Poya Day, the President said: \\\"We must be mindful of the current situation and unite around a programme that can deliver a fair determination to all.\\\" \\tVesak Poya Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. The three events in his life are said to have happened on the same date.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"...resilience is essential in difficult situations. At this juncture, when the country is in dire straits, all the people\\u2019s representatives must work together immediately for a solution on behalf of all citizens. The true goal should be to reach the desired target without deviating from the primary goal,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also issued a message on the occasion, stressing that the commitment to restore the lives of the people is a commitment made to Lord Buddha.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Stating that restraint and stability should be restored within Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Buddha\\u2019s Dhamma, which has the most valuable philosophical meaning, also functions as practical state political guidance.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Saturday, four ministers were appointed to the Cabinet but the Opposition parties have refused to be part of an all-party government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, in his message said that Lord Buddha revealed to the world the message of making the world better through altruism instead of ambition, opportunism and selfishness.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He pointed out that the teachings of Lord Buddha can also be applied in practice in modern life.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Indian High Commission in Colombo also wished all Sri Lankans on the occasion of Vesak Poya Day.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"High Commission of India wishes a blessed #Vesak #Poya Day,\\\" the mission tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\tSri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-15T06:15:05.415032+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1505202215FGN19","cleanText":"Colombo, May 15 (PTI) Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sunday called on all lawmakers to unite and work immediately for a solution to the people's pressing problems when the country is in dire straits amid the worst economic crisis.In his remarks on the occasion of Vesak Poya Day, the President said: We must be mindful of the current situation and unite around a programme that can deliver a fair determination to all. Vesak Poya Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. The three events in his life are said to have happened on the same date....resilience is essential in difficult situations. At this juncture, when the country is in dire straits, all the people’s representatives must work together immediately for a solution on behalf of all citizens. The true goal should be to reach the desired target without deviating from the primary goal, he said.Newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also issued a message on the occasion, stressing that the commitment to restore the lives of the people is a commitment made to Lord Buddha.Stating that restraint and stability should be restored within Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Buddha’s Dhamma, which has the most valuable philosophical meaning, also functions as practical state political guidance.On Saturday, four ministers were appointed to the Cabinet but the Opposition parties have refused to be part of an all-party government.The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, in his message said that Lord Buddha revealed to the world the message of making the world better through altruism instead of ambition, opportunism and selfishness.He pointed out that the teachings of Lord Buddha can also be applied in practice in modern life.The Indian High Commission in Colombo also wished all Sri Lankans on the occasion of Vesak Poya Day.High Commission of India wishes a blessed #Vesak #Poya Day, the mission tweeted. Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.The economic crisis also triggered a political crisis in Sri Lanka and a demand for the resignation of the powerful Rajapaksas.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger Cabinet as a response to the demand for his resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Cabinet,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,the Buddha’s Dhamma,Sajith Premadasa,The Indian High Commission,Colombo,Vesak Poya Day.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"High Commission of India,Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-15T06:15:04.657134+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"16JYplNxBxb7","slug":"english/rajapaksa-swears-in-4-cabinet-members-amid-sri-lanka-crisis","title":"Rajapaksa swears in 4 Cabinet members amid Sri Lanka crisis","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/Sri_Lanka_04244_6O0ErtEBP.jpg","coverCaption":"In this handout photograph provided by the Sri Lankan President's Office, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, right, watches Ranil Wickremesinghe take the oath of office as the new prime minister in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, May 12, 2022. Wickremesinghe has been reappointed in an effort to bring stability to the island nation engulfed in a political and economic crisis. (Sri Lankan President's Office via AP)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-14T11:39:12.525902+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652528346.918358, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's president swore in four new Cabinet ministers Saturday in an effort to ensure stability until a full cabinet is formed in the island nation engulfed in a political and economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The appointment of four ministers came two days after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reappointed five-time former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, after his predecessor — the president’s brother Mahinda Rajapaksa — resigned Monday following violent attacks by his supporters on peaceful anti-government protesters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"His resignation automatically dissolved the Cabinet, leaving an administrative vacuum. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In a move bring back stability, president Rajapaksa reappointed Wickremesinghe on Thursday and swore in four cabinet ministers Saturday until a full cabinet is appointed.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Rajapaksa swore in ministers of foreign affairs, public administration and home affairs, urban development and power and energy, said a statement Saturday from president’s office.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"All four ministers belong to the president's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party. The new prime minister belongs to the United National Party. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Rajapaksa sought a unity government in early April but the largest opposition political party, the United People’s Force, or SJB, had immediately rejected the proposal.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy and has suspended repayment of its foreign loans pending negotiations on a rescue package with the International Monetary Fund. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"It needs to repay $7 billion in foreign debt this year out of $25 billion due by 2026. Its total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, food and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka’s economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests for several weeks.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Authorities on Wednesday deployed armored vehicles and troops in the streets of the capital after attacks on protesters triggered a wave of violence across the country. Nine people died and more than 200 were injured.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Security forces have been ordered to shoot people deemed to be participating in the violence as sporadic acts of arson and vandalism continued despite a strict nationwide curfew that began Monday evening.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Protesters had demanded the resignations of the Rajapaksa brothers because of the debt crisis that has nearly bankrupted the country and caused severe shortages of fuel, food and other essentials.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"So far, president Rajapaksa has resisted calls for his resignation.\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-14T11:39:12.525908+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"7a0ff693ab040e","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's president swore in four new Cabinet ministers Saturday in an effort to ensure stability until a full cabinet is formed in the island nation engulfed in a political and economic crisis.The appointment of four ministers came two days after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reappointed five-time former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, after his predecessor — the president’s brother Mahinda Rajapaksa — resigned Monday following violent attacks by his supporters on peaceful anti-government protesters.His resignation automatically dissolved the Cabinet, leaving an administrative vacuum. In a move bring back stability, president Rajapaksa reappointed Wickremesinghe on Thursday and swore in four cabinet ministers Saturday until a full cabinet is appointed.Rajapaksa swore in ministers of foreign affairs, public administration and home affairs, urban development and power and energy, said a statement Saturday from president’s office.All four ministers belong to the president's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party. The new prime minister belongs to the United National Party. Rajapaksa sought a unity government in early April but the largest opposition political party, the United People’s Force, or SJB, had immediately rejected the proposal.The Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy and has suspended repayment of its foreign loans pending negotiations on a rescue package with the International Monetary Fund. It needs to repay $7 billion in foreign debt this year out of $25 billion due by 2026. Its total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, food and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.Sri Lanka’s economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests for several weeks.Authorities on Wednesday deployed armored vehicles and troops in the streets of the capital after attacks on protesters triggered a wave of violence across the country. Nine people died and more than 200 were injured.Security forces have been ordered to shoot people deemed to be participating in the violence as sporadic acts of arson and vandalism continued despite a strict nationwide curfew that began Monday evening.Protesters had demanded the resignations of the Rajapaksa brothers because of the debt crisis that has nearly bankrupted the country and caused severe shortages of fuel, food and other essentials.So far, president Rajapaksa has resisted calls for his resignation.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Cabinet,Sri Lanka,Rajapaksa,COLOMBO,Sri Lanka's,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-14T11:39:11.688255+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"1HgYZYc0Bbrp","slug":"english/new-lankan-pm-inducts-4-ministers-into-cabinet-peiris-retained-as-foreign-minister","title":"New Lankan PM inducts 4 ministers into Cabinet; Peiris retained as foreign minister","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-14T10:48:05.014133+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652525284.233966, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 14 (PTI) Ranil Wickremesinghe inducted four ministers into his Cabinet on Saturday, including G L Peiris as the Foreign Minister, as the country's new Prime Minister sought to complete the government formation to focus on efforts to rebuild the economy.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Dinesh Gunawardena has been sworn in as the Minister of Public administration, Peiris as the Foreign Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga as the Minister of Urban Development and housing and Kanchana Wijesekara as the Minister of Power and Energy, the Daily Mirror, an online news portal reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Peiris was also the Foreign Minister in the former Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Cabinet.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The government sources said Wickremesinghe's Cabinet is expected to be limited to under 20, the report said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka's ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party has decided to offer crucial support to Wickremesinghe, who has just one seat in Parliament, to help him prove a majority in the House.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Most of the opposition parties in Sri Lanka announced that they would not be joining the interim government led by Wickremesinghe.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He wrote a letter to main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, inviting his party to support the joint effort made by them to immediately resolve the burning issues faced by the people and also to stabilise the country economically, politically and socially by obtaining foreign assistance.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka\\u2019s economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"Cabinet","slug":"cabinet","id":"KRS5VI2FT4gc"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-14T10:48:05.014139+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1405202214FGN30","cleanText":"Colombo, May 14 (PTI) Ranil Wickremesinghe inducted four ministers into his Cabinet on Saturday, including G L Peiris as the Foreign Minister, as the country's new Prime Minister sought to complete the government formation to focus on efforts to rebuild the economy.Dinesh Gunawardena has been sworn in as the Minister of Public administration, Peiris as the Foreign Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga as the Minister of Urban Development and housing and Kanchana Wijesekara as the Minister of Power and Energy, the Daily Mirror, an online news portal reported.Peiris was also the Foreign Minister in the former Mahinda Rajapaksa-led Cabinet.The government sources said Wickremesinghe's Cabinet is expected to be limited to under 20, the report said.Sri Lanka's ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party has decided to offer crucial support to Wickremesinghe, who has just one seat in Parliament, to help him prove a majority in the House.Most of the opposition parties in Sri Lanka announced that they would not be joining the interim government led by Wickremesinghe.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.He wrote a letter to main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, inviting his party to support the joint effort made by them to immediately resolve the burning issues faced by the people and also to stabilise the country economically, politically and socially by obtaining foreign assistance.Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history.Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Cabinet,Sri Lanka,Peiris,Sri Lanka's,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,G L Peiris,Dinesh Gunawardena,Prasanna Ranatunga,Kanchana Wijesekara","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-14T10:48:04.256865+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"Sia8gqgEIU3f","slug":"english/new-lankan-pm-wickremesinghe-invites-opposition-leader-to-join-hands-to-resolve-countrys-worst-economic-crisis","title":"New Lankan PM Wickremesinghe invites Opposition leader to join hands to resolve country's worst economic crisis","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-14T09:27:04.999363+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652520424.39046, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 14 (PTI) Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader to leave aside party politics and join hands with him to form a non-partisan government to resolve the burning issues and stabilise the country's economy, according to media reports on Saturday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader, who was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday, wrote a letter to SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, the Daily Mirror, an online news portal reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In the letter, Wickremesinghe invited the SJB to support the joint effort made by them to immediately resolve the burning issues faced by the people and also to stabilise the country economically, politically and socially by obtaining foreign assistance.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He urged him to leave aside party politics and form a non-partisan government that goes beyond traditional politics, Hiru News, another online news portal said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Prime Minister has also sought the Opposition Leader's positive and swift response as the future of the country was facing a serious situation day by day.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe's letter to Premadasa came days after the Opposition leader wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the SJB will not join the government. Premadasa had also questioned Gotabaya's decision to swear-in Wickremesinghe as the prime minister when he himself had expressed willingness to be the premier based on some conditions, including the resignation of the President.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka\\u2019s economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-14T09:27:04.999368+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1405202214FGN20","cleanText":"Colombo, May 14 (PTI) Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader to leave aside party politics and join hands with him to form a non-partisan government to resolve the burning issues and stabilise the country's economy, according to media reports on Saturday.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader, who was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday, wrote a letter to SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, the Daily Mirror, an online news portal reported.In the letter, Wickremesinghe invited the SJB to support the joint effort made by them to immediately resolve the burning issues faced by the people and also to stabilise the country economically, politically and socially by obtaining foreign assistance.He urged him to leave aside party politics and form a non-partisan government that goes beyond traditional politics, Hiru News, another online news portal said.The Prime Minister has also sought the Opposition Leader's positive and swift response as the future of the country was facing a serious situation day by day.Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history.Wickremesinghe's letter to Premadasa came days after the Opposition leader wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the SJB will not join the government. Premadasa had also questioned Gotabaya's decision to swear-in Wickremesinghe as the prime minister when he himself had expressed willingness to be the premier based on some conditions, including the resignation of the President.Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters.The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"SJB,Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,Sri Lanka,Premadasa,Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,United National Party,Sajith Premadasa,Hiru News","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-14T09:27:04.412337+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"T63L11dEKqtr","slug":"english/sri-lankas-ruling-party-decides-to-back-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe","title":"Sri Lanka's ruling party decides to back PM Ranil Wickremesinghe","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-14T08:54:05.505128+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652518444.80178, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 14 (PTI) Sri Lanka's ruling SLPP party has decided to offer crucial support to new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has just one seat in Parliament, to help him prove a majority in the House.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe have political differences with him, but he is known as someone with international support to pull this country out of the economic problems we are facing,\\\" S M Chandrasena, a former minister and a senior leader of ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, told reporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe see queues everywhere as we go about, we have to end this. I will support Ranil Wickremesinghe as he tries to handle the economic crisis,\\\" Premanath Dolewatta, another ruling party parliamentarian said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"However, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and most opposition parties have claimed that his appointment was illegal.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Most Opposition parties have said they would not take positions in the interim government led by Wickremesinghe but would support his moves to tackle the economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) claims to have 114 seats, one more than the 113 required for a majority in the 225-member Parliament. There are 42 independent members. The SJB has 54 seats. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has 3 seats while Tamil National Alliance has 10 seats.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In the last election, Wickremesinghe's UNP managed to win just one parliamentary seat, leaving him its sole representative in Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Meanwhile, street protests continued in the country as people angered by fuel and cooking gas shortages blocked busy roads.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The ruling party members are meeting President Gotabya Rajapaksavto discuss the future of the government. President Rajapaksa himself has faced calls to resign.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe has pledged to revive the economy and to end the current queues for essentials.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The government sources said at least four Cabinet ministers may be appointed later on Saturday. Wickremesinghe's Cabinet is expected to be limited to under 20.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Prime Minister has asked for the public's patience as he tries to talk with international partners to set up an international aid consortium to help Sri Lanka out of the crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka\\u2019s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-14T08:54:05.505134+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1405202214FGN17","cleanText":"Colombo, May 14 (PTI) Sri Lanka's ruling SLPP party has decided to offer crucial support to new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has just one seat in Parliament, to help him prove a majority in the House.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.“We have political differences with him, but he is known as someone with international support to pull this country out of the economic problems we are facing, S M Chandrasena, a former minister and a senior leader of ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, told reporters.“We see queues everywhere as we go about, we have to end this. I will support Ranil Wickremesinghe as he tries to handle the economic crisis, Premanath Dolewatta, another ruling party parliamentarian said.However, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and most opposition parties have claimed that his appointment was illegal.Most Opposition parties have said they would not take positions in the interim government led by Wickremesinghe but would support his moves to tackle the economic crisis.The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) claims to have 114 seats, one more than the 113 required for a majority in the 225-member Parliament. There are 42 independent members. The SJB has 54 seats. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has 3 seats while Tamil National Alliance has 10 seats.In the last election, Wickremesinghe's UNP managed to win just one parliamentary seat, leaving him its sole representative in Parliament.Meanwhile, street protests continued in the country as people angered by fuel and cooking gas shortages blocked busy roads.The ruling party members are meeting President Gotabya Rajapaksavto discuss the future of the government. President Rajapaksa himself has faced calls to resign.Wickremesinghe has pledged to revive the economy and to end the current queues for essentials.The government sources said at least four Cabinet ministers may be appointed later on Saturday. Wickremesinghe's Cabinet is expected to be limited to under 20.The Prime Minister has asked for the public's patience as he tries to talk with international partners to set up an international aid consortium to help Sri Lanka out of the crisis.Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters.The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. Wickremesinghe was appointed the country's new prime minister on Thursday.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka's,Sri Lanka,Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,UNP,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Podujana Peramuna,SJB,Wickremesinghe,SLPP party","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-14T08:54:04.824244+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"vk1Wf4FnLFwq","slug":"english/protesters-demand-arrest-of-former-sri-lankan-pm-over-attack","title":"Protesters demand arrest of former Sri Lankan PM over attack","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/Sri_Lanka_60061_3Tzvfeim6.jpg","coverCaption":"Sri Lankans protest demanding president Gotabaya Rajakasa resign and decrying the appointment of Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, May 13, 2022. Five-time former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was reappointed on Thursday in an effort to bring stability to the island nation, which is engulfed in a political and economic crisis. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T16:51:24.989683+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652460677.4517, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Protesters attacked earlier this week by supporters of Sri Lanka's government demanded Friday that the newly appointed prime minister arrest his predecessor for allegedly instigating the attack against them as they were calling for his resignation. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"A group of protesters camped Friday outside the official residence of new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was appointed Thursday evening by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a bid to hold onto power and quell the island nation's political and economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"For months, Sri Lankans have been forced to wait in long lines to purchase scarce imported essentials such as medicines, fuel, cooking gas and food because of a severe foreign currency shortage.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The president’s brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned as prime minister on Monday after the attack on the peaceful protesters triggered a wave of violence across the country. Nine people were killed and more than 200 wounded. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The group of about 10 protesters camped Friday at the prime minister's residence said they don't trust Wickremesinghe, a former five-time prime minister, because he is close to the Rajapaksas.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"“If he is truly on the side of the people,” he should have Mahinda Rajapaksa arrested, said Wimal Jayasuriya, a 43-year-old teacher. If he doesn't arrest him, “then he has to get ready to go.\\\"\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Jayasuriya and the others said they were among the protesters who were attacked Monday with metal and wooden poles by Rajapaksa supporters who were leaving the prime minister’s residence after meeting with him. \"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Thousands of protesters have joined weeks of protests outside the president's office and the prime minister's residence demanding their resignations over the country's economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have taken refuge at a fortified naval base in Trincomalee, on the northeastern coast. A court on Thursday issued travel bans against him, his former Cabinet minister son and 15 others, including other former ministers, pending an investigation into the attack on the protesters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe's appointment has been opposed by some politicians and religious leaders who say he is part of a corrupt system they want overhauled.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"As prime minister from 2015 to 2019, Wickremesinghe was accused of protecting the Rajapaksa family from allegations of corruption and other crimes after Mahinda Rajapaksa lost a presidential election in 2015.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The main opposition party, which split from Wickremesinghe's leadership in 2020, also opposes his appointment as prime minister.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe says he can prove he has the support of a majority of Parliament and will be able to solve the country's economic issues.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is near bankruptcy and has suspended repayment of its foreign loans pending negotiations on a rescue package with the International Monetary Fund.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"It needs to repay $7 billion in foreign debt this year out of $25 billion due by 2026. Its total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T16:51:24.989689+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"83b194bc9d7967","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Protesters attacked earlier this week by supporters of Sri Lanka's government demanded Friday that the newly appointed prime minister arrest his predecessor for allegedly instigating the attack against them as they were calling for his resignation. A group of protesters camped Friday outside the official residence of new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was appointed Thursday evening by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a bid to hold onto power and quell the island nation's political and economic crisis.For months, Sri Lankans have been forced to wait in long lines to purchase scarce imported essentials such as medicines, fuel, cooking gas and food because of a severe foreign currency shortage.The president’s brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned as prime minister on Monday after the attack on the peaceful protesters triggered a wave of violence across the country. Nine people were killed and more than 200 wounded. The group of about 10 protesters camped Friday at the prime minister's residence said they don't trust Wickremesinghe, a former five-time prime minister, because he is close to the Rajapaksas.“If he is truly on the side of the people,” he should have Mahinda Rajapaksa arrested, said Wimal Jayasuriya, a 43-year-old teacher. If he doesn't arrest him, “then he has to get ready to go.Jayasuriya and the others said they were among the protesters who were attacked Monday with metal and wooden poles by Rajapaksa supporters who were leaving the prime minister’s residence after meeting with him. Thousands of protesters have joined weeks of protests outside the president's office and the prime minister's residence demanding their resignations over the country's economic crisis.Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have taken refuge at a fortified naval base in Trincomalee, on the northeastern coast. A court on Thursday issued travel bans against him, his former Cabinet minister son and 15 others, including other former ministers, pending an investigation into the attack on the protesters.Wickremesinghe's appointment has been opposed by some politicians and religious leaders who say he is part of a corrupt system they want overhauled.As prime minister from 2015 to 2019, Wickremesinghe was accused of protecting the Rajapaksa family from allegations of corruption and other crimes after Mahinda Rajapaksa lost a presidential election in 2015.The main opposition party, which split from Wickremesinghe's leadership in 2020, also opposes his appointment as prime minister.Wickremesinghe says he can prove he has the support of a majority of Parliament and will be able to solve the country's economic issues.Sri Lanka is near bankruptcy and has suspended repayment of its foreign loans pending negotiations on a rescue package with the International Monetary Fund.It needs to repay $7 billion in foreign debt this year out of $25 billion due by 2026. Its total foreign debt is $51 billion. The finance ministry says the country currently has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Mahinda Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka,Wickremesinghe,Rajapaksa,COLOMBO,Sri Lanka's,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Rajapaksas,Wimal Jayasuriya","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T16:51:24.247938+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"kJgULMbkvXh4","slug":"english/sri-lankas-economic-crisis-to-get-worse-before-it-gets-better-new-pm-wickremesinghe-says","title":"Sri Lanka's economic crisis to get worse before it gets better, new PM Wickremesinghe says","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T16:06:06.602562+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652457965.856919, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Sri Lanka's new prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday warned that the worst economic crisis that has brought misery and unrest in the island nation is \\\"going to get worse before it gets better.\\\" \\tSri Lanka is facing acute fuel shortages and soaring food prices, with some Sri Lankans forced to skip meals. Anger over the government's handling of the crisis has led to violent protests and forced the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the prime minister on Monday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, who assumed charge as the 26th prime minister told the BBC in an interview that he would ensure families in the country get three meals a day.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Appealing to the world for more financial help, he said \\\"there won't be a hunger crisis, we will find food\\\".\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The 73-year-old veteran politician, who is currently on his sixth stint as prime minister, warned that the worst economic crisis that has brought misery and unrest in the country is \\\"going to get worse before it gets better.\\\" \\t He described the Sri Lankan economy as \\\"broken\\\", but he said his message to Sri Lankans was to \\\"be patient, I will bring things back.\\\" \\t The United National Party (UNP) leader was sworn-in by embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday, but his appointment has largely been met with dismay, as he is seen as too close to the politically dominant Rajapaksa clan.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe said he agreed with the sentiment of protestors who have been calling for President Rajapaksa to resign, but said that would not happen. \\\"Blaming won't lead to action, I'm here to see people nourished,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Anti-government protests flared up in early April in the capital, Colombo, and have grown in size and spread across the country. People are furious because the cost of living has become unaffordable, and nine people have lost their lives in the unrest.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" However, Wickremesinghe may face a tough time in Parliament as he is the only member of his party in the 225-member House. The Opposition parties on Friday questioned President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's decision to appoint Wickremesinghe as the prime minister. The Opposition parties have also decided not to join the interim government but support Wickremesinghe's efforts to revive the battered economy.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka\\u2019s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe took over as prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T16:06:06.602566+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN62","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Sri Lanka's new prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday warned that the worst economic crisis that has brought misery and unrest in the island nation is going to get worse before it gets better. Sri Lanka is facing acute fuel shortages and soaring food prices, with some Sri Lankans forced to skip meals. Anger over the government's handling of the crisis has led to violent protests and forced the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the prime minister on Monday.Wickremesinghe, who assumed charge as the 26th prime minister told the BBC in an interview that he would ensure families in the country get three meals a day. Appealing to the world for more financial help, he said there won't be a hunger crisis, we will find food. The 73-year-old veteran politician, who is currently on his sixth stint as prime minister, warned that the worst economic crisis that has brought misery and unrest in the country is going to get worse before it gets better. He described the Sri Lankan economy as broken, but he said his message to Sri Lankans was to be patient, I will bring things back. The United National Party (UNP) leader was sworn-in by embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday, but his appointment has largely been met with dismay, as he is seen as too close to the politically dominant Rajapaksa clan. Wickremesinghe said he agreed with the sentiment of protestors who have been calling for President Rajapaksa to resign, but said that would not happen. Blaming won't lead to action, I'm here to see people nourished, he said. Anti-government protests flared up in early April in the capital, Colombo, and have grown in size and spread across the country. People are furious because the cost of living has become unaffordable, and nine people have lost their lives in the unrest. However, Wickremesinghe may face a tough time in Parliament as he is the only member of his party in the 225-member House. The Opposition parties on Friday questioned President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's decision to appoint Wickremesinghe as the prime minister. The Opposition parties have also decided not to join the interim government but support Wickremesinghe's efforts to revive the battered economy. Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government. Wickremesinghe took over as prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka's,Sri Lanka,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Rajapaksa,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Ranil Wickremesinghe,The United National Party,Colombo,Wickremesinghe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T16:06:05.869314+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"6xfPY224z2vw","slug":"english/lanka-pm-wickremesinghe-meets-ambassadors-discusses-formation-of-intl-forum-for-financial-aid","title":"Lanka PM Wickremesinghe meets ambassadors, discusses formation of int’l forum for financial aid","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T15:03:05.563233+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652454184.559275, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday met with ambassadors of India, Japan, the US and China and discussed the formation of an international forum for financial assistance to the debt-ridden island nation engulfed in the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's ailing economy and end the political turmoil.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cPM Ranil Wickremesinghe met Ambassadors of Japan, USA, China \u0026 Indian HC today \u0026 discussed forming an international forum for financial assistance to SL. The Japanese Ambassador to leave for Japan tomorrow to discuss SL situation - PM Media,\\u201d Sri Lankan news website Hiru News English said in a tweet.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy to call on Wickremesinghe and discussed with him the current situation in the country.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe has said he is looking forward to closer ties with India during his term while thanking India for its economic assistance to the country.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India\\u2019s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence. New Delhi provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka\\u2019s foreign reserves depleted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India on Thursday said it was looking forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes, asserting that New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as Sri Lanka was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Japan","slug":"japan","id":"anJhzDRc6xxB"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"US","slug":"us","id":"0JelBm6rMusZ"},{"name":"China","slug":"china","id":"gtTvlJMpH5eQ"},{"name":"USA","slug":"usa","id":"SPBaPrR23eZS"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T15:03:05.563238+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN57","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday met with ambassadors of India, Japan, the US and China and discussed the formation of an international forum for financial assistance to the debt-ridden island nation engulfed in the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948.Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's ailing economy and end the political turmoil.“PM Ranil Wickremesinghe met Ambassadors of Japan, USA, China \u0026 Indian HC today \u0026 discussed forming an international forum for financial assistance to SL. The Japanese Ambassador to leave for Japan tomorrow to discuss SL situation - PM Media,” Sri Lankan news website Hiru News English said in a tweet.Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy to call on Wickremesinghe and discussed with him the current situation in the country.Wickremesinghe has said he is looking forward to closer ties with India during his term while thanking India for its economic assistance to the country.India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.India’s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence. New Delhi provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves depleted.India on Thursday said it was looking forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes, asserting that New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue.The United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as Sri Lanka was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"PM Wickremesinghe,India,Sri Lanka,Japan,Ranil Wickremesinghe,US,China,Sri Lanka's,USA,China \u0026 Indian HC","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T15:03:04.581163+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"Av7i3zIuMfcb","slug":"english/indian-envoy-calls-on-new-sri-lankan-pm-wickremesinghe-discusses-continued-cooperation-for-economic-recovery-and-stability","title":"Indian envoy calls on new Sri Lankan PM Wickremesinghe; discusses continued cooperation for economic recovery and stability","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T14:45:04.773448+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652453104.013816, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 13 (PTI) The Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy here to call on the new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed with him continued cooperation between the two countries for economic recovery and stability in this island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Baglay visited Wickremesinghe immediately after the latter assumed duties in his office on Friday, Prime minister\\u2019s office sources said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"They discussed the current situation in the country amid the ongoing economic crisis, the worst since the country gained independence in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"High Commissioner called on Hon'ble PM @RW_UNP. Conveyed greetings and good wishes. Discussed continued India-Sri Lanka cooperation for economic recovery and stability in #SriLanka through democratic processes towards the well being of all the people of Sri Lanka,\\\" the Indian High Commission tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India\\u2019s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka\\u2019s foreign reserves depleted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In mid-April Sri Lanka declared its insolvency by announcing its inability to meet foreign debt commitments.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka's economic crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said he was looking forward to having closer ties with India.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T14:45:04.773454+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN54","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) The Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy here to call on the new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed with him continued cooperation between the two countries for economic recovery and stability in this island nation.Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.Baglay visited Wickremesinghe immediately after the latter assumed duties in his office on Friday, Prime minister’s office sources said.They discussed the current situation in the country amid the ongoing economic crisis, the worst since the country gained independence in 1948.High Commissioner called on Hon'ble PM @RW_UNP. Conveyed greetings and good wishes. Discussed continued India-Sri Lanka cooperation for economic recovery and stability in #SriLanka through democratic processes towards the well being of all the people of Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission tweeted.India’s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence.India provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves depleted.India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.In mid-April Sri Lanka declared its insolvency by announcing its inability to meet foreign debt commitments.Sri Lanka's economic crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.Wickremesinghe said he was looking forward to having closer ties with India.India on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,India,Sri Lanka's,Gopal Baglay,Ranil Wickremesinghe,SriLanka,the Indian High Commission,Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T14:45:04.039477+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"QkDxLVk8ZHlU","slug":"english/opposition-parties-in-lanka-not-to-become-part-of-wickremesinghe-govt-but-would-support-its-economic-recovery-programme-from-outside","title":"Opposition parties in Lanka not to become part of Wickremesinghe Govt but would support its economic recovery programme from outside","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T12:09:06.862129+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652443746.186028, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Most of the Opposition parties in Sri Lanka on Friday announced that they would not become a part of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's interim government but would support its economic policies from outside to help the debt-ridden island nation's early recovery.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe cannot become a part of this Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe government,\\\" Wimal Weerawansa, a legislator for the independent group from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa\\u2019s SLPP said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Former President Maithripala Sirisena\\u2019s SLFP central committee has also decided not to be part of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said they would also not be part of the government while the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) said United National Party (UNP) leader Wickremesinghe has no legitimacy as he was not even elected in the 2020 parliamentary election.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the party would not accept ministerial positions and called for Wickremesinghe\\u2019s resignation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the decision taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, is one that was made with zero regard to the voice of the people. The JVP leader ridiculed the decision, saying the appointment has no legitimacy and has no democratic value.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWickremesinghe is a person who held the post of Prime Minister, formed governments, and yet could not even win a single seat at the last General Election. He did not even have the required number of votes to enter parliament. If an election is used to measure the consent of the people, elections have shown that he has no mandate, and that is why the people sent him packing,\\u201d he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The interim government idea was mooted by the powerful Buddhist clergy and civil society as a means to find a solution for the ongoing economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"With Mahinda Rajapaksa\\u2019s resignation on Monday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he was talking to political parties to set up an interim government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, who had been sworn in as the prime minister of Sri Lanka on five occasions before, said his primary task was to tackle the worst economic crisis with assistance from all parties.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The new prime minister, who has only his seat in the Parliament, said he commanded a majority coming from both sides.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka\\u2019s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T12:09:06.862134+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN34","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Most of the Opposition parties in Sri Lanka on Friday announced that they would not become a part of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's interim government but would support its economic policies from outside to help the debt-ridden island nation's early recovery.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader was appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.“We cannot become a part of this Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe government, Wimal Weerawansa, a legislator for the independent group from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s SLPP said.Former President Maithripala Sirisena’s SLFP central committee has also decided not to be part of the government.The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said they would also not be part of the government while the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) said United National Party (UNP) leader Wickremesinghe has no legitimacy as he was not even elected in the 2020 parliamentary election.SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the party would not accept ministerial positions and called for Wickremesinghe’s resignation.JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the decision taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, is one that was made with zero regard to the voice of the people. The JVP leader ridiculed the decision, saying the appointment has no legitimacy and has no democratic value.“Wickremesinghe is a person who held the post of Prime Minister, formed governments, and yet could not even win a single seat at the last General Election. He did not even have the required number of votes to enter parliament. If an election is used to measure the consent of the people, elections have shown that he has no mandate, and that is why the people sent him packing,” he said.The interim government idea was mooted by the powerful Buddhist clergy and civil society as a means to find a solution for the ongoing economic crisis.With Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation on Monday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he was talking to political parties to set up an interim government.Wickremesinghe, who had been sworn in as the prime minister of Sri Lanka on five occasions before, said his primary task was to tackle the worst economic crisis with assistance from all parties.The new prime minister, who has only his seat in the Parliament, said he commanded a majority coming from both sides.Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Wickremesinghe Govt,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka,United National Party,UNP,SJB,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Mahinda Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T12:09:06.200910+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"GvPhZGMAqJcW","slug":"english/lankas-new-pm-wickremesinghe-assumes-duties-opposition-says-his-appointment-has-zero-regard-for-voice-of-people","title":"Lanka's new PM Wickremesinghe assumes duties, Opposition says his appointment has 'zero regard' for voice of people","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T09:21:05.658740+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652433664.950992, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the sixth time on Friday even as Opposition parties SJP and JVP announced that they will not extend any support to him as his appointment has been made with \\\"zero regard\\\" to the voice of the people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader took over as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe had been sworn in as the prime minister of Sri Lanka on five occasions before. He was first appointed as the prime minister from 1993 \\u2013 1994 after the assassination of then President Ranasinghe Premadasa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Subsequently, from 2001 to 2004 he was elected as the prime minister to lead the United National Front Government during the presidency of President Chandrika Bandaranayake. In January 2015, he was appointed as the prime minister of the coalition government on the election of then President Maithripala Sirisena. His appointment was sanctioned by the Sri Lankan people at the general election of August 2015.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Once again, in December 2018, then-President Sirisena was compelled to appoint him as the prime minister after having dismissed him in October 2018. In November 2019, after the defeat of the UNP presidential candidate, he resigned from his position of prime minister.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"During his visit to the Walukaramaya Raja Maha Viharaya in Colombo after taking oaths as the Prime Minister, Wickremesinghe said that the GotaGoGama struggle must continue, and he will not intervene with the struggle, News 1st website reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cPolice would not do anything to them, and the struggle must continue,\\u201d he was quoted as saying.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The veteran politician is seen as being close to the Rajapaksa clan. But he does not currently command much support from the Opposition or among the public. It remains to be seen if he can prove his majority in the 225-member Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Meanwhile, the Opposition party Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said on Friday that they will not extend any support to Wickremesinghe.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Parliamentary Group of the SJB, which has 54 seats in the 225-member Parliament, will meet on Friday at the Office of the Opposition Leader to discuss the motion against the President, and also the current political situation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Tamil National Alliance also opposed his appointment, saying it was unconstitutional. The JVP has 3 seats while TNA has 10 seats in the 225-member Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the decision taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, is one that was made with zero regard to the voice of the people, the News First website reported.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The JVP leader ridiculed the decision, saying the appointment has no legitimacy and has no democratic value.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWickremesinghe is a person who held the post of Prime Minister, formed governments, and yet could not even win a single seat at the last General Election. He did not even have the required number of votes to enter parliament. If an election is used to measure the consent of the people, elections have shown that he has no mandate, and that is why the people sent him packing,\\u201d he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Dissanayake said that Wickremesinghe who was rejected by the people, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was also rejected by those who worked for him, governing the country together is against all fundamentals of democracy.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cThe President and the Prime Minister are two bodies that were rejected by the people,\\u201d he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Dissanayake said the President and the Prime Minister are toying with the lives of the people, and their mandate.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cGotabaya Rajapaksa claimed 6.9 million people voted for him. That 6.9 million voted to defeat Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the mastermind of the Bond Scam that took place between 2015 to 2019,\\u201d he added.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Dissanayake said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected to power to also penalise those responsible for the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, claiming that Wickremesinghe the then-Prime Minister did not perform to prevent the attacks.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cGotabaya Rajapaksa received a mandate that rejected Ranil Wickremesinghe\\u2019s conduct and political culture,\\u201d he said, noting that what happened on Thursday was something completely against the decision made in 2019.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka\\u2019s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T09:21:05.658746+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN18","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the sixth time on Friday even as Opposition parties SJP and JVP announced that they will not extend any support to him as his appointment has been made with zero regard to the voice of the people.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader took over as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.Wickremesinghe had been sworn in as the prime minister of Sri Lanka on five occasions before. He was first appointed as the prime minister from 1993 – 1994 after the assassination of then President Ranasinghe Premadasa.Subsequently, from 2001 to 2004 he was elected as the prime minister to lead the United National Front Government during the presidency of President Chandrika Bandaranayake. In January 2015, he was appointed as the prime minister of the coalition government on the election of then President Maithripala Sirisena. His appointment was sanctioned by the Sri Lankan people at the general election of August 2015.Once again, in December 2018, then-President Sirisena was compelled to appoint him as the prime minister after having dismissed him in October 2018. In November 2019, after the defeat of the UNP presidential candidate, he resigned from his position of prime minister.During his visit to the Walukaramaya Raja Maha Viharaya in Colombo after taking oaths as the Prime Minister, Wickremesinghe said that the GotaGoGama struggle must continue, and he will not intervene with the struggle, News 1st website reported.“Police would not do anything to them, and the struggle must continue,” he was quoted as saying.The veteran politician is seen as being close to the Rajapaksa clan. But he does not currently command much support from the Opposition or among the public. It remains to be seen if he can prove his majority in the 225-member Parliament.Meanwhile, the Opposition party Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said on Friday that they will not extend any support to Wickremesinghe.The Parliamentary Group of the SJB, which has 54 seats in the 225-member Parliament, will meet on Friday at the Office of the Opposition Leader to discuss the motion against the President, and also the current political situation.The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Tamil National Alliance also opposed his appointment, saying it was unconstitutional. The JVP has 3 seats while TNA has 10 seats in the 225-member Parliament.JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the decision taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, is one that was made with zero regard to the voice of the people, the News First website reported.The JVP leader ridiculed the decision, saying the appointment has no legitimacy and has no democratic value.“Wickremesinghe is a person who held the post of Prime Minister, formed governments, and yet could not even win a single seat at the last General Election. He did not even have the required number of votes to enter parliament. If an election is used to measure the consent of the people, elections have shown that he has no mandate, and that is why the people sent him packing,” he said.Dissanayake said that Wickremesinghe who was rejected by the people, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was also rejected by those who worked for him, governing the country together is against all fundamentals of democracy.“The President and the Prime Minister are two bodies that were rejected by the people,” he said.Dissanayake said the President and the Prime Minister are toying with the lives of the people, and their mandate.“Gotabaya Rajapaksa claimed 6.9 million people voted for him. That 6.9 million voted to defeat Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the mastermind of the Bond Scam that took place between 2015 to 2019,” he added.Dissanayake said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected to power to also penalise those responsible for the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, claiming that Wickremesinghe the then-Prime Minister did not perform to prevent the attacks.“Gotabaya Rajapaksa received a mandate that rejected Ranil Wickremesinghe’s conduct and political culture,” he said, noting that what happened on Thursday was something completely against the decision made in 2019.Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka,SJB,United National Party,UNP,Sri Lanka's,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Ranasinghe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T09:21:04.965711+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"3BdLakCkLW04","slug":"english/indian-envoy-calls-on-new-sri-lankan-prime-minister-wickremesinghe","title":"Indian envoy calls on new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T06:36:05.349134+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652423764.557139, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 13 (PTI) The Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy to call on the new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed with him the current situation in the country amid the worst economic crisis, according to sources here.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Baglay visited Wickremesinghe immediately after the latter assumed duties in his office on Friday, Prime minister\\u2019s office sources said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"They discussed the current situation in the country amid the ongoing economic crisis, the worst since the country gained independence in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India\\u2019s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka\\u2019s foreign reserves depleted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In mid-April Sri Lanka declared its insolvency by announcing its inability to meet foreign debt commitments.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka's economic crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said he was looking forward to having closer ties with India.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T06:36:05.349139+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN13","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) The Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Friday became the first foreign envoy to call on the new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed with him the current situation in the country amid the worst economic crisis, according to sources here.Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.Baglay visited Wickremesinghe immediately after the latter assumed duties in his office on Friday, Prime minister’s office sources said.They discussed the current situation in the country amid the ongoing economic crisis, the worst since the country gained independence in 1948.India’s economic assistance package since January had kept Sri Lanka afloat in its worst economic crisis since independence.India provided credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essentials as Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves depleted.India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.In mid-April Sri Lanka declared its insolvency by announcing its inability to meet foreign debt commitments.Sri Lanka's economic crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.On April 1, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Rajapaksa sacked his Cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.Wickremesinghe said he was looking forward to having closer ties with India.India on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"India,Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka's,Gopal Baglay,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Wickremesinghe,Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Rajapaksa,Mahinda Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T06:36:04.579470+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"nsVVel59e21C","slug":"english/us-ready-to-work-with-new-lankan-pm-wickremesinghe-calls-for-early-formation-of-inclusive-government","title":"US ready to work with new Lankan PM Wickremesinghe; calls for early formation of inclusive government","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T05:54:06.224587+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652421245.477478, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) US Ambassador to Sri Lanka has congratulated the newly-appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and hoped that an inclusive government would be formed quickly to address the economic crisis and promote stability in the island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"US Ambassador Julie Chung congratulated the newly-appointed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on Thursday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cLook forward to working w/ @RW_UNP. His appointment as PM, and the quick formation of an inclusive government, are first steps to addressing the crisis \u0026 promoting stability,\\u201d she tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cWe encourage meaningful progress at the IMF \u0026 long-term solutions that meet the needs of all Sri Lankans,\\u201d the tweet further added.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund said that it is following developments in Sri Lanka closely and is concerned about rising social tensions and violence.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In the month of April, the two sides convened their first round of talks at the IMF headquarters in Washington.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is hoping for a Rapid Finance Instrument (RFI) facility as well as a larger Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the international financial body to help it deal with its foreign currency shortages, which have triggered an economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In the last meeting, the IMF assured to help the country with an amount of USD 300 million to USD 600 million.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"According to the IMF, the island nation will receive the said amount from the World Bank over the course of the next four months.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka has been grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic crisis and political instability ever after Independence due to manifold reasons both short and long-term. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"US","slug":"us","id":"0JelBm6rMusZ"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T05:54:06.224592+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN11","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) US Ambassador to Sri Lanka has congratulated the newly-appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and hoped that an inclusive government would be formed quickly to address the economic crisis and promote stability in the island nation.Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.The United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.US Ambassador Julie Chung congratulated the newly-appointed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on Thursday.“Look forward to working w/ @RW_UNP. His appointment as PM, and the quick formation of an inclusive government, are first steps to addressing the crisis \u0026 promoting stability,” she tweeted.“We encourage meaningful progress at the IMF \u0026 long-term solutions that meet the needs of all Sri Lankans,” the tweet further added.On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund said that it is following developments in Sri Lanka closely and is concerned about rising social tensions and violence.In the month of April, the two sides convened their first round of talks at the IMF headquarters in Washington.Sri Lanka is hoping for a Rapid Finance Instrument (RFI) facility as well as a larger Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the international financial body to help it deal with its foreign currency shortages, which have triggered an economic crisis.In the last meeting, the IMF assured to help the country with an amount of USD 300 million to USD 600 million.According to the IMF, the island nation will receive the said amount from the World Bank over the course of the next four months.Sri Lanka has been grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic crisis and political instability ever after Independence due to manifold reasons both short and long-term.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"US,Sri Lanka,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,The United National Party,Gotabaya Rajapaksa's,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Julie Chung,the International Monetary Fund,the World Bank","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T05:54:05.492321+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"Igv7K6GsTDof","slug":"english/sri-lankas-new-prime-minister-wickremesinghe-says-he-looks-forward-to-closer-ties-with-india","title":"Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Wickremesinghe says he looks forward to closer ties with India","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-13T03:36:05.556410+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":0.9617009917425259,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652412964.704743, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he looks forward to closer ties with India during his term and thanked India for its economic assistance to the country as it tackles the worst economic crisis since independence.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cI want a closer relationship and I want to thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,\\u201d Wickremesinghe said, referring to the Indian economic assistance to his country.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"His remarks came during a religious ceremony held here last night after he took the oath.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"India on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe said his focus was limited to tackling the economic crisis.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cI want to settle this problem to ensure the supply of petrol, diesel and electricity to the people,\\\" Wickremesinghe said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cI will do the job that I have undertaken to do\\u201d.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Asked if he could sustain his premiership in the 225-member Parliament since he only has only one seat, he said: \\u201cI will prove the majority when it comes to that\\u201d.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Referring to the islandwide protests, Wickremesinghe said the main protest near president Gotabaya Rajapaksa\\u2019s secretariat for over a month now would be allowed to continue.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cI will talk to them (protesters) if they are willing,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Asked if he feared protest demanding him to quit, he said he would face them.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\u201cIf I can undertake the job to handle the economic crisis, I will handle that too,\\\" he said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe was appointed the Prime Minister as the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and the third-largest party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) attached tough conditions, such as the resignation of President Rajapaksa, to lead the interim government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe heads the interim government in which all political parties are to be stakeholders for a limited period before facilitating a parliamentary election.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a section of the main Opposition SJB and several other parties have expressed their support to show a majority for Wickremesinghe in Parliament, sources said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"However, several factions opposed the move to appoint Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The JVP and the Tamil National Alliance claimed that his appointment was unconstitutional.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The veteran politician is seen as being close to the Rajapaksa clan. But he does not currently command much support from the Opposition or among the public. It remains to be seen if he can prove his majority in the 225-member Parliament. \\t\\u201cWe will allow him space,\\\" Weerasumana Weerasinghe of the Communist Party said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Former President Maithripala Sirisena\\u2019s Sri Lanka Freedom Party party said its central committee would meet this morning to make a decision.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The trade union cum political party for the plantation community of Indian-origin, Ceylon Workers' Congress, said they would support Wickremesinghe.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka\\u2019s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Rajapaksa sacked his cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-13T03:36:05.556415+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1305202213FGN7","cleanText":"Colombo, May 13 (PTI) Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he looks forward to closer ties with India during his term and thanked India for its economic assistance to the country as it tackles the worst economic crisis since independence.Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil.“I want a closer relationship and I want to thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,” Wickremesinghe said, referring to the Indian economic assistance to his country.His remarks came during a religious ceremony held here last night after he took the oath.India has committed more than USD 3 billion to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in loans, credit lines and credit swaps since January this year.India on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a government since Monday when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters.The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.Wickremesinghe said his focus was limited to tackling the economic crisis.“I want to settle this problem to ensure the supply of petrol, diesel and electricity to the people, Wickremesinghe said.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.“I will do the job that I have undertaken to do”.Asked if he could sustain his premiership in the 225-member Parliament since he only has only one seat, he said: “I will prove the majority when it comes to that”.Referring to the islandwide protests, Wickremesinghe said the main protest near president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s secretariat for over a month now would be allowed to continue.“I will talk to them (protesters) if they are willing, he said.Asked if he feared protest demanding him to quit, he said he would face them.“If I can undertake the job to handle the economic crisis, I will handle that too, he said.Wickremesinghe was appointed the Prime Minister as the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and the third-largest party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) attached tough conditions, such as the resignation of President Rajapaksa, to lead the interim government.Wickremesinghe heads the interim government in which all political parties are to be stakeholders for a limited period before facilitating a parliamentary election.Members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a section of the main Opposition SJB and several other parties have expressed their support to show a majority for Wickremesinghe in Parliament, sources said.However, several factions opposed the move to appoint Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister.The JVP and the Tamil National Alliance claimed that his appointment was unconstitutional.The veteran politician is seen as being close to the Rajapaksa clan. But he does not currently command much support from the Opposition or among the public. It remains to be seen if he can prove his majority in the 225-member Parliament. “We will allow him space, Weerasumana Weerasinghe of the Communist Party said.Former President Maithripala Sirisena’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party party said its central committee would meet this morning to make a decision.The trade union cum political party for the plantation community of Indian-origin, Ceylon Workers' Congress, said they would support Wickremesinghe.Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. On April 1, President Rajapaksa imposed a state of emergency, lifting it five days later. The government reimposed a state of emergency on May 6 after police fired teargas and arrested students protesting near parliament, which was adjourned until May 17.Although the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, the police fatally shot a protester on April 19, and on several occasions have used teargas and water cannons against protesters. The authorities have made numerous arrests and repeatedly imposed curfews.The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.President Rajapaksa sacked his cabinet and appointed a younger cabinet as a response to the demand for resignation. A continuous protest opposite his secretariat has now gone on for well over a month.On Monday, his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the prime minister to make way for the president to appoint an interim all political party government.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka's,Wickremesinghe,India,Sri Lanka,Parliament,Rajapaksa,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,SJB,Ranil Wickremesinghe","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-13T03:36:04.726688+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"xuSRjew3Ch58","slug":"english/ranil-wickremesinghe-a-glimpse-into-political-career-of-sri-lankas-new-premier","title":"Ranil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_gV0VOJebG.jpg","coverCaption":"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sr Lanka's prime minister for the sixth time on Thursday. (Photo credit: Twitter/@AthaudaDasuni)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T17:25:17.730963+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s prime minister for the sixth time\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWickremesinghe could never complete a single term in the office\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHe was first appointed prime minister in 1993 after the assassination of then-president Ranasinghe Premadasa\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1652376309516,\\\"strCount\\\":4506,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/srilanka\\\\\\\"\u003eSri Lanka's\u003c/a\u003e prime minister for the sixth time on Thursday. Wickremesinghe took\\\\ncharge of the office at a time when Sri Lanka going through its worst economic\\\\ncrisis. The veteran politician, however, could never complete a full term in\\\\noffice.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/who-is-ranil-wickremesinghe\\\\\\\"\u003eWho is Ranil Wickremesinghe?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The 73-year-old’s political career seems\\\\nover but the ongoing crisis, which forced former Prime Minister Mahinda\\\\nRajapaksa to step down, gave it a fresh lease of life. \\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe is the sole parliamentary\\\\nrepresentative of the United National Party, a once-powerful political force\\\\nthat was nearly wiped out in Sri Lanka's last elections.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The former lawyer hails from a political\\\\nfamily and his uncle Junius Jayewardene served as president for more than a\\\\ndecade.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/what-happened-in-sri-lanka-after-mahinda-rajapaksa-quit-as-prime-minister\\\\\\\"\u003eWhat happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003ePolitics\\\\nover journalism \u003c/b\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"But Wickremesinghe was never interested\\\\nin politics. He dreamed of pursuing a career in journalism. But as the\\\\ngovernment nationalised his family's newspaper business in 1973, he quit the\\\\nidea. \\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"He was first appointed prime minister in\\\\n1993 after the assassination of then-president Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was\\\\nkilled in a bomb attack by Tamil Tiger guerrillas during Sri Lanka's\\\\ndecades-long civil war.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/in-the-making-a-south-asian-economic-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eIn the making: A South Asian economic crisis?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Premadasa's son Sajith is the current\\\\nopposition leader and had also been touted as a possible prime ministerial\\\\ncandidate this week. \\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In his first term as a premier, he could\\\\nhold the seat a little more than a year. He returned to power in 2001, earning\\\\na reputation for sound economic management after steering the country out of\\\\nrecession.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"He was sacked due to his tussle with the\\\\npresident. Wickremesinghe spent the next decade in the opposition bench.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lankas-president-declares-emergency-amid-protests-over-economic-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eSri Lanka's President declares emergency amid protests over economic crisis\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"He also contested two presidential\\\\nelections but lost on both occasions. A series of defeats prompted his\\\\nsupporters to dub him a \\\\\\\"record loser\\\\\\\".\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eScam\\\\nand tussle \u003c/b\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In 2015, he was again sworn in as prime\\\\nminister after President Mahinda Rajapaksa lost the elections. The opposition rallied\\\\nbehind him as a unity candidate against the authoritarian leader.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"His clean image was soon tainted when\\\\nhis administration was rocked by an insider trading scam involving central bank\\\\nbonds. A key accused in the multi-million dollar scam was the central bank\\\\nchief at the time, Arjuna Mahendran, who was Wickremesinghe's schoolmate.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/fact-check-government-debunks-viral-claim-about-fake-rs-500-notes\\\\\\\"\u003eFact check: Government debunks viral claim about fake Rs 500 notes\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Political tussle with the powerful\\\\nRajapaksa family also threw the country into crisis in 2018, with Mahinda\\\\ntaking over the premiership for six weeks before the Supreme Court ruled it was\\\\nunconstitutional.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe returns to the office to\\\\nreplace Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned on Monday after his supporters attacked\\\\nanti-government demonstrators, and later had to be rescued from his residence\\\\nby the military.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/kim-jong-un-orders-complete-lockdown-as-north-korea-records-1st-covid-19-case\\\\\\\"\u003eKim Jong-un orders complete lockdown as North Korea records 1st COVID case\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"He will serve at the pleasure of\\\\nPresident Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda's younger brother, who has fought off\\\\ncalls for his own resignation over the government's mismanagement of the\\\\neconomic crisis.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe will be taking charge of\\\\na bankrupt nation in default of its $51-billion foreign debt and without money\\\\nto import essential goods.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/phillip-jefferson-becomes-fourth-black-person-to-serve-on-fed-reserve-board\\\\\\\"\u003ePhillip Jefferson becomes fourth Black person to serve on Fed Reserve board\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"His status as a pro-West, free-market\\\\nreformist could smooth bailout negotiations with the International Monetary\\\\nFund and foreign creditors.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Sudipta Biswas","photo":null,"username":"sudipta007","id":"7BsNwKQcHTdN","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"primeminister","slug":"primeminister","id":"JlpdoCPyvNV3"},{"name":"World","slug":"world","id":"iEhRQcab92b8"},{"name":"Politics","slug":"politics","id":"ODQ1kqHlUPEu"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Sudipta Biswas","id":"7BsNwKQcHTdN","username":"sudipta007"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T17:15:00.147350+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka's prime minister for the sixth time on Thursday. Wickremesinghe took charge of the office at a time when Sri Lanka going through its worst economic crisis. The veteran politician, however, could never complete a full term in office. Also Read: Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?,The 73-year-old’s political career seems over but the ongoing crisis, which forced former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to step down, gave it a fresh lease of life. ,Wickremesinghe is the sole parliamentary representative of the United National Party, a once-powerful political force that was nearly wiped out in Sri Lanka's last elections. The former lawyer hails from a political family and his uncle Junius Jayewardene served as president for more than a decade. Also Read: What happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?,Politics over journalism ,But Wickremesinghe was never interested in politics. He dreamed of pursuing a career in journalism. But as the government nationalised his family's newspaper business in 1973, he quit the idea. ,He was first appointed prime minister in 1993 after the assassination of then-president Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was killed in a bomb attack by Tamil Tiger guerrillas during Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war. Also Read: In the making: A South Asian economic crisis?,Premadasa's son Sajith is the current opposition leader and had also been touted as a possible prime ministerial candidate this week. ,In his first term as a premier, he could hold the seat a little more than a year. He returned to power in 2001, earning a reputation for sound economic management after steering the country out of recession. He was sacked due to his tussle with the president. Wickremesinghe spent the next decade in the opposition bench. Also Read: Sri Lanka's President declares emergency amid protests over economic crisis,He also contested two presidential elections but lost on both occasions. A series of defeats prompted his supporters to dub him a record loser. Scam and tussle ,In 2015, he was again sworn in as prime minister after President Mahinda Rajapaksa lost the elections. The opposition rallied behind him as a unity candidate against the authoritarian leader. His clean image was soon tainted when his administration was rocked by an insider trading scam involving central bank bonds. A key accused in the multi-million dollar scam was the central bank chief at the time, Arjuna Mahendran, who was Wickremesinghe's schoolmate. Also Read: Fact check: Government debunks viral claim about fake Rs 500 notes,Political tussle with the powerful Rajapaksa family also threw the country into crisis in 2018, with Mahinda taking over the premiership for six weeks before the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional. Wickremesinghe returns to the office to replace Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned on Monday after his supporters attacked anti-government demonstrators, and later had to be rescued from his residence by the military. Also Read: Kim Jong-un orders complete lockdown as North Korea records 1st COVID case,He will serve at the pleasure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda's younger brother, who has fought off calls for his own resignation over the government's mismanagement of the economic crisis. Wickremesinghe will be taking charge of a bankrupt nation in default of its $51-billion foreign debt and without money to import essential goods. Also Read: Phillip Jefferson becomes fourth Black person to serve on Fed Reserve board,His status as a pro-West, free-market reformist could smooth bailout negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and foreign creditors.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Mahinda Rajapaksa,Sri Lanka's,Wickremesinghe,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sr Lanka's,Sri Lanka,the United National Party,Junius Jayewardene,Ranasinghe Premadasa,Tamil Tiger,Premadasa,Sajith,Arjuna Mahendran,Rajapaksa,Mahinda","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T15:15:00+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"BLggdwNaJMTI","slug":"english/ranil-wickremesinghe-sworn-in-as-sri-lankas-new-prime-minister-amid-worst-economic-crisis","title":"Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister amid worst economic crisis","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T16:30:06.011886+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652373005.052596, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) Opposition leader and former premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil, a development welcomed by India which said it looks forward to working with the new government and reaffirmed its commitment to the Sri Lankan people.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, days after his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to resign following violent protests over the worst economic crisis in the island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a government since Monday when Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"My best wishes to the newly appointed PM of #LKA, @RW_UNP, who stepped up to take on the challenging task of steering our country through a very turbulent time. I look forward to working together with him to make Sri Lanka strong again,\\\" President Gotabaya tweeted along with a picture of him and Wickremesinghe.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Mahinda was quick to congratulated Wickremesinghe, saying that he wishes him all the best as he navigates \\\"these troubled times.\\\" \\t\\\"Congratulations to the newly appointed Prime Minister of #lka, @RW_UNP. I wish you all the best as you navigate these troubled times,\\\" tweeted Mahinda, who is under protection at a naval base following violent attacks on his aides.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The High Commission of India in Colombo said it looks forward to working with new Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"\\\"High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes pursuant to the swearing in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister of #SriLanka,\\\" it tweeted.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"It said that India's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a section of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and several other parties have expressed their support to show majority for Wickremesinghe in Parliament, sources said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"However, several factions opposed the move to appoint Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, a lawyer-turned politician who has been in Parliament for 45 years, has served as the prime minister on four previous occasions. He was fired from the post of prime minister by then President Maithripala Sirisena in October 2018. However, he was reinstalled as the prime minister by Sirisena after two months.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He is widely accepted as a man who could manage the economy with far-sighted policies, and is perceived as the Sri Lankan politician who could command international cooperation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The UNP, the oldest party in the country, had failed to win a single seat from districts, including Wickremesinghe who contested from the UNP stronghold Colombo in 2020 parliamentary polls.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He later found his way to Parliament through the sole national list allocated to the UNP on the basis of cumulative national vote. His deputy Sajith Premadasa had led the breakaway SJB and became the main Opposition.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Premadasa, a former deputy to Wickremesinghe, had rejected the President's original invitation to be prime minister. He had insisted that the President must resign as a pre-condition. Premadasa later softened his stance and demanded the President to give a time frame for stepping down. However, the President replied that he would appoint Wickremesinghe as the new premier.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"In a late night televised address to the nation, President Gotabaya on Wednesday refused to quit but promised to appoint a new Prime Minister and a young Cabinet which would introduce key constitutional reforms to curb his powers.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Gotabaya had said that after appointing the new Prime Minister, and Government a constitutional amendment will be moved to enact the content of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which will vest more powers with Parliament.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Security forces in armoured vehicles patrolled across the country on Wednesday with orders to shoot at sight amid continuing protests at the government's handling of the worst economic crisis. Army Special Forces' Combat Riders were also deployed on mobile patrol in Colombo and suburbs.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"President Gotabaya earlier urged the public to reject subversive attempts and said it is the time for all Sri Lankans to join hands as one, to overcome the economic, social and political challenges.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The powerful Rajapaksa clan has dominated Sri Lankan politics for years. Gotabaya is the last Rajapaksa family member in office and the resignation of his brother as prime minister did nothing to placate demonstrators or bring calm in the island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"As the crisis erupted, Gotabaya sacked his younger brother Basil Rajapaksa. Later, the entire Cabinet resigned, forcing the eldest Rajapaksa, Chamal to quit. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T16:30:06.011891+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1205202212FGN97","cleanText":"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) Opposition leader and former premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday to stabilise the country's debt-ridden economy and end the political turmoil, a development welcomed by India which said it looks forward to working with the new government and reaffirmed its commitment to the Sri Lankan people.Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, days after his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to resign following violent protests over the worst economic crisis in the island nation.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader took over as the prime minister as the country was without a government since Monday when Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after violence erupted following an attack on the anti-government protesters by his supporters. The attack triggered widespread violence against Rajapaksa loyalists, leaving nine people dead and wounding over 200 others.My best wishes to the newly appointed PM of #LKA, @RW_UNP, who stepped up to take on the challenging task of steering our country through a very turbulent time. I look forward to working together with him to make Sri Lanka strong again, President Gotabaya tweeted along with a picture of him and Wickremesinghe.Mahinda was quick to congratulated Wickremesinghe, saying that he wishes him all the best as he navigates these troubled times. Congratulations to the newly appointed Prime Minister of #lka, @RW_UNP. I wish you all the best as you navigate these troubled times, tweeted Mahinda, who is under protection at a naval base following violent attacks on his aides.The High Commission of India in Colombo said it looks forward to working with new Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes.High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes pursuant to the swearing in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister of #SriLanka, it tweeted.It said that India's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue.Members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a section of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and several other parties have expressed their support to show majority for Wickremesinghe in Parliament, sources said.However, several factions opposed the move to appoint Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister.Wickremesinghe, a lawyer-turned politician who has been in Parliament for 45 years, has served as the prime minister on four previous occasions. He was fired from the post of prime minister by then President Maithripala Sirisena in October 2018. However, he was reinstalled as the prime minister by Sirisena after two months.He is widely accepted as a man who could manage the economy with far-sighted policies, and is perceived as the Sri Lankan politician who could command international cooperation.The UNP, the oldest party in the country, had failed to win a single seat from districts, including Wickremesinghe who contested from the UNP stronghold Colombo in 2020 parliamentary polls.He later found his way to Parliament through the sole national list allocated to the UNP on the basis of cumulative national vote. His deputy Sajith Premadasa had led the breakaway SJB and became the main Opposition.Premadasa, a former deputy to Wickremesinghe, had rejected the President's original invitation to be prime minister. He had insisted that the President must resign as a pre-condition. Premadasa later softened his stance and demanded the President to give a time frame for stepping down. However, the President replied that he would appoint Wickremesinghe as the new premier.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.In a late night televised address to the nation, President Gotabaya on Wednesday refused to quit but promised to appoint a new Prime Minister and a young Cabinet which would introduce key constitutional reforms to curb his powers.Gotabaya had said that after appointing the new Prime Minister, and Government a constitutional amendment will be moved to enact the content of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which will vest more powers with Parliament.Security forces in armoured vehicles patrolled across the country on Wednesday with orders to shoot at sight amid continuing protests at the government's handling of the worst economic crisis. Army Special Forces' Combat Riders were also deployed on mobile patrol in Colombo and suburbs.President Gotabaya earlier urged the public to reject subversive attempts and said it is the time for all Sri Lankans to join hands as one, to overcome the economic, social and political challenges.The powerful Rajapaksa clan has dominated Sri Lankan politics for years. Gotabaya is the last Rajapaksa family member in office and the resignation of his brother as prime minister did nothing to placate demonstrators or bring calm in the island nation.As the crisis erupted, Gotabaya sacked his younger brother Basil Rajapaksa. Later, the entire Cabinet resigned, forcing the eldest Rajapaksa, Chamal to quit.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,Sri Lanka,Wickremesinghe,Gotabaya,Colombo,Parliament,UNP,India,Mahinda Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T16:30:05.076382+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"K5WmpQZ2n1x1","slug":"english/ranil-wickremesinghe-sri-lankas-new-prime-minister-vows-to-improve-relations-with-india","title":"Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister, vows to improve relations with India","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_gV0VOJebG.jpg","coverCaption":"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sr Lanka's prime minister for the sixth time on Thursday. (Photo credit: Twitter/","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T16:30:00.210513+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWickremesinghe has a daunting task of uplifting his country’s economy\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHe feels India should play a role in Sri Lanka’s development\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe Indian High Commission in Colombo reiterated the country's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1652371564656,\\\"strCount\\\":3092,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/srilanka\\\\\\\"\u003eSri Lanka’s\u003c/a\u003e new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his country's\\\\nrelations with \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/india\\\\\\\"\u003eIndia\u003c/a\u003e will “become much better” as he “must fulfil” the\\\\nchallenge of uplifting the country's debt-ridden economy.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ranil-wickremesinghe-a-glimpse-into-political-career-of-sri-lankas-new-premier\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the United National Party (UNP), was\\\\nsworn in as the prime minister for the sixth time by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in\\\\n\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/colombo\\\\\\\"\u003eColombo\u003c/a\u003e on Thursday.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"I have taken on a challenge of uplifting the economy and I must\\\\nfulfill it,\\\\\\\" Wickremesinghe told reporters.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/who-is-ranil-wickremesinghe\\\\\\\"\u003eWho is Ranil Wickremesinghe?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Taking questions from the press, he answered a question on the India-Sri\\\\nLanka relationship. \\\\\\\"It will become much better,” he responded.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"They should stay. We want them to stay. If they want to talk,\\\\nyes,\\\\\\\" Wickremesinghe when asked about the protesters.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/what-happened-in-sri-lanka-after-mahinda-rajapaksa-quit-as-prime-minister\\\\\\\"\u003eWhat happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"The Indian High Commission in Colombo reiterated the country's commitment to\\\\nthe people of Sri Lanka after Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the prime\\\\nminister.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks\\\\nforward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with\\\\ndemocratic processes pursuant to the swearing-in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the\\\\nPrime Minister of \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/srilanka\\\\\\\"\u003eSriLanka\u003c/a\u003e,\\\\\\\" the high commission said in a tweet.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/in-the-making-a-south-asian-economic-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eIn the making: A South Asian economic crisis?\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\\\\\\\"India's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue,\\\\\\\" it\\\\nadded.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as the prime minister on Monday, following\\\\nviolent incidents reported between pro-government groups and anti-government\\\\nprotesters.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In 2018, a political tussle with the powerful Rajapaksa family also threw\\\\nthe country into crisis with Mahinda taking over the premiership for six weeks\\\\nbefore the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Also Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lankas-president-declares-emergency-amid-protests-over-economic-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eSri Lanka's President declares emergency amid protests over economic crisis\u003c/a\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe returns to the office to replace Mahinda Rajapaksa, who\\\\nresigned on Monday after his supporters attacked anti-government demonstrators,\\\\nand later had to be rescued from his residence by the military.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"In his sixth term, Wickremesinghe will be taking charge of a bankrupt nation\\\\nin default of its $51-billion foreign debt and without money to import\\\\nessential goods.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Sudipta Biswas","photo":null,"username":"sudipta007","id":"7BsNwKQcHTdN","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"},{"name":"Asia","slug":"asia","id":"QzdhnKXHT05r"},{"name":"IndiaNews","slug":"indianews","id":"hmzqkpDB7jEj"},{"name":"World","slug":"world","id":"iEhRQcab92b8"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Sudipta Biswas","id":"7BsNwKQcHTdN","username":"sudipta007"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T16:30:00.210516+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his country's relations with India will “become much better” as he “must fulfil” the challenge of uplifting the country's debt-ridden economy. Also Read: Ranil Wickremesinghe: A glimpse into political career of Sri Lanka’s new premier,Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the United National Party (UNP), was sworn in as the prime minister for the sixth time by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo on Thursday. I have taken on a challenge of uplifting the economy and I must fulfill it, Wickremesinghe told reporters. Also Read: Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?,Taking questions from the press, he answered a question on the India-Sri Lanka relationship. It will become much better,” he responded. They should stay. We want them to stay. If they want to talk, yes, Wickremesinghe when asked about the protesters. Also Read: What happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?,The Indian High Commission in Colombo reiterated the country's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka after Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the prime minister. High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes pursuant to the swearing-in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister of SriLanka, the high commission said in a tweet. Also Read: In the making: A South Asian economic crisis?,India's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue, it added. Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down as the prime minister on Monday, following violent incidents reported between pro-government groups and anti-government protesters. In 2018, a political tussle with the powerful Rajapaksa family also threw the country into crisis with Mahinda taking over the premiership for six weeks before the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional. Also Read: Sri Lanka's President declares emergency amid protests over economic crisis,Wickremesinghe returns to the office to replace Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned on Monday after his supporters attacked anti-government demonstrators, and later had to be rescued from his residence by the military. In his sixth term, Wickremesinghe will be taking charge of a bankrupt nation in default of its $51-billion foreign debt and without money to import essential goods.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Colombo,India,Mahinda Rajapaksa,the United National Party,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,The Indian High Commission,Commission of India,Rajapaksa,the Supreme Court","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T16:30:00+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"5i8ulzfhsUGu","slug":"english/india-looks-forward-to-working-with-new-government-of-sri-lanka-indian-high-commission","title":"India looks forward to working with new government of Sri Lanka: Indian High Commission","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T14:39:05.997715+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652366345.337102, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) India looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue, the Indian High Commission here said on Thursday after Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new Prime Minister.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) was appointed as the prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after they held closed-door discussions on Wednesday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Wickremesinghe, who has served as the country\\u2019s prime minister four times, was in October 2018 fired from the post of prime minister by then-President Maithripala Sirisena. However, he was reinstalled as the prime minister by Sirisena after two months.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\\"India's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue,\\\" the High Commission said in a tweet.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\\"High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes pursuant to the swearing-in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister of #SriLanka,\\\" it said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"India","slug":"india","id":"Bq4MmUPrXF8p"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T14:39:05.997720+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1205202212FGN87","cleanText":"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) India looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government formed in accordance with the democratic processes and New Delhi's commitment to the people of the island nation will continue, the Indian High Commission here said on Thursday after Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new Prime Minister. The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) was appointed as the prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after they held closed-door discussions on Wednesday. Wickremesinghe, who has served as the country’s prime minister four times, was in October 2018 fired from the post of prime minister by then-President Maithripala Sirisena. However, he was reinstalled as the prime minister by Sirisena after two months. India's commitment to the people of Sri Lanka will continue, the High Commission said in a tweet. High Commission of India hopes for political stability and looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka formed in accordance with democratic processes pursuant to the swearing-in of Hon'ble @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister of #SriLanka, it said. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"India,Sri Lanka,Indian High Commission,New Delhi's,the Indian High Commission,Ranil Wickremesinghe,United National Party,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Maithripala Sirisena,the High Commission","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T14:39:05.349452+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"Dbaj77wfbk20","slug":"english/sri-lanka-stocks-up-after-two-day-curfew-new-pm-speculation-boosts-sentiment","title":"Sri Lanka stocks up after two-day curfew; new PM speculation boosts sentiment","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T13:54:05.023078+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652363644.238352, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Colombo, May 12 (PTI) Sri Lanka's stocks index on Thursday jumped over three per cent after being closed for two days on the speculation of the appointment of a new Prime Minister and political stability in the island nation, dealers said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" \\u201cToday the market bounced back after the political limbo was broken following the announcement of the appointment of the prime minister,\\u201d a top market analyst was quoted as saying by the EconomyNext website.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The main All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 3.17 per cent or 237.99 points up at 7,754.62 at the close.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Shares in Expolanka Holdings were up 8.7 per cent to close at 172.50 rupees a share, Hayleys gained 8.4 per cent and closed at 69.80 rupees a share, while Commercial Bank ended 3.6 per cent up at 51.80 rupees a share, the report said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" On Thursday, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister, days after his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned following violent protests over the worst economic crisis in the debt-ridden island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday in his address to the nation said he would appoint a new prime minister and cabinet within this week. Analysts said it was purely on the sentiment that the political deadlock was somewhat broken.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" However, if the same set of politicians is reappointed and if the people lose confidence in the government again, there would be grave repercussions, including a fall in the bourse, the report said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The island nation saw the lifting of the 60-hour curfew at 0700 hours on Thursday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The market remained closed for the last two days after the violence in the country.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The most liquid index S and P SL20 up 3.83 per cent or 93.59 points to close at 2,536.64, according to the EconomyNext news.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" According to market analysts, investors were disappointed with the way the island\\u2019s politics was moving despite the people\\u2019s call for transparency and stability.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The day\\u2019s turnover was 1.1 billion rupees, nearly a quarter of this year\\u2019s average daily turnover of 4.2 billion rupees.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka's central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the country did not have adequate dollars to import for the next one week.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \" The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"Britain","slug":"britain","id":"xnjqZ4BkgTWS"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:54:05.023083+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1205202212FGN80","cleanText":"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) Sri Lanka's stocks index on Thursday jumped over three per cent after being closed for two days on the speculation of the appointment of a new Prime Minister and political stability in the island nation, dealers said. “Today the market bounced back after the political limbo was broken following the announcement of the appointment of the prime minister,” a top market analyst was quoted as saying by the EconomyNext website. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 3.17 per cent or 237.99 points up at 7,754.62 at the close. Shares in Expolanka Holdings were up 8.7 per cent to close at 172.50 rupees a share, Hayleys gained 8.4 per cent and closed at 69.80 rupees a share, while Commercial Bank ended 3.6 per cent up at 51.80 rupees a share, the report said. On Thursday, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister, days after his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned following violent protests over the worst economic crisis in the debt-ridden island nation. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday in his address to the nation said he would appoint a new prime minister and cabinet within this week. Analysts said it was purely on the sentiment that the political deadlock was somewhat broken. However, if the same set of politicians is reappointed and if the people lose confidence in the government again, there would be grave repercussions, including a fall in the bourse, the report said. The island nation saw the lifting of the 60-hour curfew at 0700 hours on Thursday. The market remained closed for the last two days after the violence in the country. The most liquid index S and P SL20 up 3.83 per cent or 93.59 points to close at 2,536.64, according to the EconomyNext news. According to market analysts, investors were disappointed with the way the island’s politics was moving despite the people’s call for transparency and stability. The day’s turnover was 1.1 billion rupees, nearly a quarter of this year’s average daily turnover of 4.2 billion rupees. Sri Lanka's central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the country did not have adequate dollars to import for the next one week. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis has provoked widespread protests calling for political reform and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The political crisis was triggered in late March when people hurt by long hours of power cuts and essential shortages took to the streets demanding the resignation of the government.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka's,Expolanka Holdings,Commercial Bank,Ranil Wickremesinghe,Mahinda Rajapaksa,Gotabaya Rajapaksa,Nandalal Weerasinghe,Britain","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:54:04.261252+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"DuWEn9qAkK1E","slug":"english/ranil-wickremesinghe-sworn-in-as-new-sri-lankas-new-prime-minister","title":"Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as new Sri Lanka's new prime minister","postType":1,"coverMedia":null,"coverCaption":null,"reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T13:18:05.828834+00:00","highlightSummary":null,"highlightSummaryFlag":0,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":null,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":0,"content":"{\"time\": 1652361485.082273, \"blocks\": [{\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Thursday sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister, days after his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned following violent protests over the worst economic crisis in the debt-ridden island nation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) was appointed as the prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after they held closed-door discussions on Wednesday.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe, who has served as the country\\u2019s prime minister for four times, was in October 2018 fired from the post of prime minister by then President Maithripala Sirisena. However, he was reinstalled as the prime minister by Sirisena after two months.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a section of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and several other parties have expressed their support to show majority for Wickremesinghe in Parliament, sources said.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"The UNP, the oldest party in the country, had failed to win a single seat from districts, including Wickremesinghe who contested from the UNP stronghold Colombo in 2020 parliamentary polls.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"He later found his way to Parliament through the sole national list allocated to the UNP on the basis of cumulative national vote. His deputy Sajith Premadasa had led the breakaway SJB and became the main Opposition.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Wickremesinghe is widely accepted as a man who could manage the economy with far-sighted policies, and is perceived as the Sri Lankan politician who could command international cooperation.\"}}, {\"type\": \"paragraph\", \"data\": {\"text\": \"Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. \"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":null,"createdBy":{"name":"PTI","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","username":"presstrustofindia","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Parliament","slug":"parliament","id":"f1AaZo7fTdEO"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"PTI","id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","username":"presstrustofindia"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:18:05.828840+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"1205202212FGN74","cleanText":"Colombo, May 12 (PTI) Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Thursday sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new prime minister, days after his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned following violent protests over the worst economic crisis in the debt-ridden island nation.The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) was appointed as the prime minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after they held closed-door discussions on Wednesday.Wickremesinghe, who has served as the country’s prime minister for four times, was in October 2018 fired from the post of prime minister by then President Maithripala Sirisena. However, he was reinstalled as the prime minister by Sirisena after two months.Members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a section of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and several other parties have expressed their support to show majority for Wickremesinghe in Parliament, sources said.The UNP, the oldest party in the country, had failed to win a single seat from districts, including Wickremesinghe who contested from the UNP stronghold Colombo in 2020 parliamentary polls.He later found his way to Parliament through the sole national list allocated to the UNP on the basis of cumulative national vote. His deputy Sajith Premadasa had led the breakaway SJB and became the main Opposition.Wickremesinghe is widely accepted as a man who could manage the economy with far-sighted policies, and is perceived as the Sri Lankan politician who could command international cooperation.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.","portalUser":{"id":"rgkwRLMU8bE","name":"PTI","username":"presstrustofindia","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_WQDSboZhJ.jpg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":null,"keywords":"Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri Lanka's,UNP,Sri Lanka,SJB,Wickremesinghe,Parliament,Mahinda Rajapaksa,United National Party,Gotabaya Rajapaksa","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:18:05.096254+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"Lyc2HMV2bLoY","slug":"english/who-is-ranil-wickremesinghe","title":"Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?","postType":1,"coverMedia":"/opoyi_G9i5D0Vpi.jpg","coverCaption":"Ranil Wickremesinghe, the new Sri Lankan CM. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@@RW_UNP)","reactionStats":"{\"like_count\":0,\"heartbreak_count\":0,\"laugh_count\":0,\"sad_count\":0,\"angry_count\":0}","updatedOn":"2022-05-12T13:16:36.200023+00:00","highlightSummary":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe takes Sri Lankan PM's office for the 5th time\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHe left the PM's office in 2019\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSri Lanka is currently facing one of the worst economic crises\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","highlightSummaryFlag":1,"breakingSponsored":0,"coverMediaType":1,"reactionsCount":0,"commentsCount":0,"lastComment":null,"isUpdated":false,"lastCommentUser":null,"trustScore":1,"fakeTrust":2,"content":"{\\\"time\\\":1652361393644,\\\"strCount\\\":2775,\\\"blocks\\\":[{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/lankas-ex-pm-wickremesinghe-with-1-seat-in-parliament-may-return-to-premiership\\\\\\\"\u003eRanil Wickremesinghe\u003c/a\u003e was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on Thursday as the South Asian country deals with an \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lanka-to-receive-at-least-300-million-from-world-bank-amid-economic-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eunprecedented economic crisis\u003c/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lankan-prime-minister-mahinda-rajapaksa-resigns-local-media\\\\\\\"\u003eMahinda Rajapaksa\u003c/a\u003e resigned from the Prime Minister's office on Monday\u0026nbsp;following violent attacks by their supporters on peaceful anti-government protesters.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe's appointment as the Sri Lankan Prime Minister is seen as a way to fill the\u0026nbsp;administrative vacuum in the country after \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/what-happened-in-sri-lanka-after-mahinda-rajapaksa-quit-as-prime-minister\\\\\\\"\u003ethe cabinet was dissolved\u003c/a\u003e this week.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eAlso Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/what-happened-in-sri-lanka-after-mahinda-rajapaksa-quit-as-prime-minister\\\\\\\"\u003eWhat happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eWho is\u0026nbsp;Ranil Wickremesinghe?\u003c/b\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Ranil Wickremesinghe is considered to be a political veteran of Sri Lanka. The 73-year-old has held the Prime Minister's office five times in his 45-year-long political career.\u0026nbsp;\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"His Prime Ministerial terms lasted from 1993-1994,\u0026nbsp; 2001-2004, 2015-2015 (100 days), 2015-2018 and 2018-2019. He has also been the leader of the United National Party since 1994.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Wickremesinghe's reputation took a hit in 2019 before he left the Prime Minister's office.\u0026nbsp;Maithripala Sirisena was the \u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/sri-lanka-crisis-gotabaya-rajapaksa-agrees-to-drop-brother-as-prime-minister\\\\\\\"\u003ePresident of Sri Lanka\u003c/a\u003e at that time.\u0026nbsp;\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"An internal conflict and communication breakdown between him and Sirisena were blamed for intelligence lapses that led to Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks in 2019 that killed more than 260 people, Associated Press reported.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"His political party split in 2019 amid a leadership crisis and most senior members left to form a new party, which is currently the country’s main opposition.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"\u003cb\u003eAlso Read:\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\\\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/in-the-making-a-south-asian-economic-crisis\\\\\\\"\u003eIn the making: A South Asian economic crisis?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Media reports also claim that\u0026nbsp;Wickremesinghe attempted to shield his appointee and friend, who was serving as Sri Lanka Central Bank in 2019. He was accused of insider trading, Associated Press reported.\\\"}},{\\\"type\\\":\\\"paragraph\\\",\\\"data\\\":{\\\"text\\\":\\\"Born on March 24, 1949,\u0026nbsp;Wickremesinghe graduated from the University of Ceylon\u0026nbsp;and became an advocate in 1972. He later entered the political sphere of Sri Lanka.\\\"}}]}","relatedPosts":null,"location":{"name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"Aman Butani","photo":"","username":"amanbutani1975","id":"wo3kJpOpSZW2","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Politics","slug":"politics","id":"ODQ1kqHlUPEu"},{"name":"World","slug":"world","id":"iEhRQcab92b8"},{"name":"Asia","slug":"asia","id":"QzdhnKXHT05r"},{"name":"MahindaRajapaksa","slug":"mahindarajapaksa","id":"qsv5bmC9ABBv"},{"name":"People","slug":"people","id":"WKvnIJkiH0xN"},{"name":"International","slug":"international","id":"NYS6J2BBfSdS"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"Aman Butani","id":"wo3kJpOpSZW2","username":"amanbutani1975"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:16:35.423098+00:00","publisher":0,"sourceFeed":null,"cleanText":"Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on Thursday as the South Asian country deals with an unprecedented economic crisis. Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from the Prime Minister's office on Monday following violent attacks by their supporters on peaceful anti-government protesters. Wickremesinghe's appointment as the Sri Lankan Prime Minister is seen as a way to fill the administrative vacuum in the country after the cabinet was dissolved this week. Also Read: What happened in Sri Lanka after Mahinda Rajapaksa quit as prime minister?,Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?,Ranil Wickremesinghe is considered to be a political veteran of Sri Lanka. The 73-year-old has held the Prime Minister's office five times in his 45-year-long political career. ,His Prime Ministerial terms lasted from 1993-1994, 2001-2004, 2015-2015 (100 days), 2015-2018 and 2018-2019. He has also been the leader of the United National Party since 1994. Wickremesinghe's reputation took a hit in 2019 before he left the Prime Minister's office. Maithripala Sirisena was the President of Sri Lanka at that time. ,An internal conflict and communication breakdown between him and Sirisena were blamed for intelligence lapses that led to Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks in 2019 that killed more than 260 people, Associated Press reported. His political party split in 2019 amid a leadership crisis and most senior members left to form a new party, which is currently the country’s main opposition. Also Read: In the making: A South Asian economic crisis?,Media reports also claim that Wickremesinghe attempted to shield his appointee and friend, who was serving as Sri Lanka Central Bank in 2019. He was accused of insider trading, Associated Press reported. Born on March 24, 1949, Wickremesinghe graduated from the University of Ceylon and became an advocate in 1972. He later entered the political sphere of Sri Lanka.","portalUser":{"id":"kQKU5wG2FUA","name":"Opoyi Central","username":"opoyicentral","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_IAxzIxai2.jpg","role":2},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9271","longitude":"79.8612","name":"Colombo, Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka PM, new sri lanka pm, Mahinda Rajapaksa, United National Party","originalPublishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:16:35.423088+00:00"}},{"node":{"id":"CWx9qaKVAulO","slug":"english/opposition-lawmaker-ranil-wickremesinghe-sworn-in-as-new-prime-minister-of-sri-lanka-in-effort-to-end-political-crisis","title":"Opposition lawmaker Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as new prime minister of Sri Lanka in effort to end political 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Lanka"},"createdBy":{"name":"AP","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","username":"associatedpress","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","role":null},"topics":[{"name":"RanilWickremesinghe","slug":"ranilwickremesinghe","id":"vZj6FLdd7Pxy"},{"name":"SriLanka","slug":"srilanka","id":"mjdE0zWttiL5"},{"name":"Colombo","slug":"colombo","id":"4bevH8u07YVw"}],"userReaction":"","isBookmarked":false,"authors":[{"name":"AP","id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","username":"associatedpress"}],"translatedBy":[],"editedBy":[],"reportedBy":[],"postedBy":[],"agency":[],"originalPost":null,"publishedOn":"2022-05-12T13:09:08.464209+00:00","publisher":3,"sourceFeed":"b77e94b656b569","cleanText":"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Opposition lawmaker Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as new prime minister of Sri Lanka in effort to end political crisis.","portalUser":{"id":"8dFR8PhLJl4s","name":"AP","username":"associatedpress","photo":"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/AP-200x200_TbSS3S6KN.jpeg","role":8},"opinions":[],"liveblogStatus":true,"lastReply":null,"replyUser":null,"userMentions":[],"lastCommentMentions":null,"lastReplyMentions":null,"checkIn":{"latitude":"6.9355","longitude":"79.8487","name":"Colombo,Sri Lanka","city":"Colombo"},"keywords":"Ranil Wickremesinghe,Sri 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