As the Sri Lanka crisis deepens, the country’s military has appealed for a political resolution between the government and the protesters. In a statement that was released on Wednesday, the Sri Lankan military had also appealed to the speaker of the parliament to hold a n all-party meeting to prevent the country from drowning in further lawlessness.

Widespread protests and demonstrations have engulfed Sri Lanka, which forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksha to flee the country to the Maldives early Wednesday. Ranil Wickremesinghe has become the acting President and Prime Minister and had asked the speaker of the country to nominate a new Prime Minister candidate, who is acceptable to both government and the opposition parties on Wednesday.

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Demonstrators broke into the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday amidst tear gas firing and water cannons by the military and the police. News has also emerged that the protesters have also breached the speaker’s residence, which is close to the Sri Lanka Parliament.

“A special appeal” to the people, especially the youth, to support the three forces — Army, Navy and Air Force — and the police to maintain law and order in the county,” said Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva in a statement. 

Silva also urged the demonstrators against vandalising state or private property.

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“We, the tri-forces commanders and the Inspector General of police have requested the Speaker (Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena) to call an all-party leaders meeting and inform us of the steps they will take to ensure a political resolution to the current conflict in the run-up to the appointment of a new president,” the statement read.

According to reports, the Sri Lanka Parliament will reveal a new President by the end of the upcoming week. According to Reuters, current interim President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is the first choice for the ruling United National Party (UNP), however, no concrete decision has been taken till now.