Ranil Wickremesinghe, Acting President of Sri Lanka, has declared a state of emergency in the country, said a Government notice. “It is expedient, so to do, in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community”, said a notification.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, Top Contender
Ranil Wickremesinghe, associate of Rajpaksa, is one of the top contenders to become Sri Lanka’s next President. However, protestors do not want him to be the one and they demand his escape.
Sri Lanka’s protests have continued for a long time now, this Sunday was the 100th day of the movement since it began.
Sri Lanka’s Worst Economic Crisis
Currently Sri Lanka is suffering from its worst economic crisis since the time of its Independence from Britishers in 1948. Its foreign exchange shortage is very severe, up to an extent where the country cannot even import the essentials. The nation is under USD 50 billion of foreign debt and the repayment of USD 7 billion failed this year.
As the crisis began, “a handful of individuals gathered in a small group holding placards to demand basic necessities like milk powder and a regular power supply.
And within a week the conditions got even worse, citizens were forced to wait in the mile long queue to get fuel, cooking gas and other essentials. Multiple power outages for a long time became normal and even 20 citizens died while waiting in the long lines under the scorching heat of the Sun to get fuel.
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People suffered a lot, they waited for the Government to act, but nothing from them was offered. Not even a single suggestion to convey a solution. Then the time comes when the Government declares itself bankrupt, fuel sold at 4 times higher than normal price in black market and people see there is no end to their suffering. Then the ‘Aragalaya’ movement started with the aim to get a resignation from President Gotabaya and his elder brother Mahinda.
