International partners urge Sri Lanka to uphold law after unprecedented political crisis
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s international partners urged the island nation to uphold the law and order and prevent violence after its unprecedented political crisis following strong protests forced its president to flee the country and resign.
Following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the sitting prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the acting president in line with the constitution, despite some protesters threatened to agitate against the legitimate constitutional move.
Sri Lanka’s economic crisis after the central bank printed trillions of rupees under Rajapaksa that led to balance of payment issue has now triggered the country into a political crisis.
Wickremesinghe will be the acting prime minister until the island nation’s parliament vote on a new president by July 20. It could be Wickremesinghe or any other lawmaker nominated in the parliament. Already opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and former Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma have expressed their willingness to enter the presidential fray.
However, many people have raised concerns over the acting president Wickremesinghe taking a hard line on apolitical protesters who led the revolt in less than 100 days.
Sources close to Wickremesinghe have told Economy Next the EFF is likely to get delayed because of the delays in debt restructuring which needs considerable time as it involved some legal procedures.
Wickremesinghe, who may or may not continue as the president after July 5 took oath and immediately said he would reduce the presidential powers with a constitutional amendment. Economic and political analysts say the vast powers vested with former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the key reason for his policy failure that led to a chaotic end to his presidential tenure.
“Immediate steps will be taken to re-establish law and order in the country. I fully accept the right to peacefully protest, but others are now trying to sabotage these protests,” Wickremesinghe said after the swearing in.
“We are bound to ensure they are protected by law and order. We are obliged uphold democracy.”
“I am bound to protect the constitution. I will never allow anything unconstitutional to take place in our country. I am not working outside the constitution. If law and order breaks down, it will affect our economy.” (Colombo/July 15/2022)
