Categories: World

Sri Lanka crisis deepens—opposition parties step up action against Rajapaksa government and family

<p>
<img height="1" src="file:///C:/Users/media/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="1" />After intense debates in the parliament with no solutions proposed by the truncated government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, opposition parties are now looking at bringing a no-confidence motion against the beleaguered Rajapaksa.</p>
<p>
Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, who heads the Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB)—the main opposition party in the island nation, said that his party is thinking of <a href="http://www.adaderana.lk/news/81744/sjb-to-meet-opposition-leaders-to-discuss-no-confidence-motion-against-govt">moving a no-confidence motion</a> against Rajapaksa unless his government brings immediate relief to the people impacted by the economic crisis.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
7am on a rainy Sunday & 20hrs into the protest. Power to the people <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHomeGota2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHomeGota2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaProtests?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaProtests</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankanCrisis?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankanCrisis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> <a href="https://t.co/jb8Z7xGVyw">pic.twitter.com/jb8Z7xGVyw</a></p>
— Bhavani Fonseka (@bfonseka) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfonseka/status/1512977012666691585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p>
Sri Lanka has been rocked by public protests for over a month with people facing acute shortages of food, fuel and power. Angry protestors have even attacked the President's residence and those of other politicians. Due to rising inflation, masses have reduced their spending on food, schools are shut and tourist activity has come to a standstill.<br />
<br />
Premadasa is spearheading a campaign against the 20th amendment of the constitution that took powers away from the parliament and vested them in the president. He told the media: “We have decided to bring a no confidence motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as he has failed to address the country in connection with economic policies. We have called a meeting with all opposition leaders and will take a final decision on it soon”.</p>
<p>
His party has also moved a resolution before the parliament to withdraw the 20th amendment which will transfer more powers from the president to the parliament.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Rajapaksa is also under pressure from former allies—the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which withdrew support from Rajapaksa earlier this week over the economic and social breakdown in the country. <a href="https://www.dailymirror.lk/top_story/President-to-hold-crucial-meeting-with-41MPs-who-quit-govt/155-234897">The SLFP too wants</a> President Rajapaksa to reduce powers the executive powers of the president and vest those with the parliament.<br />
<br />
SLFP leader Maithripala Siriserna told journalists that his party will be meeting with President Rajapaksa on Sunday evening to urge him to form an interim administration with an all-party cabinet. He also wants the president to reduce the number of <a href="http://How the Rajapaksas have become the face of the national crisis in parliament and on streets">his family members</a> from governmental positions.<br />
<br />
For nearly a week, Sri Lanka has managed without a proper administration after the previous ministry resigned owing to large-scale public protests. Siriserna made it clear that Sunday's meeting with Rajapaksa will try to convince the president that the latter has to reduce the executive powers bestowed on the President through the 20th amendment to the constitution.<br />
<br />
He said: "The entire country demands the removal of the Rajapakse clan and President Rajapakse from politics in Sri Lanka. It seems that the protests and agitations against the President and the SLPP government will not recede as long as the incumbent government and President Gotabaya Rajapakse remain in power".<br />
<br />
Stressing that the conditions are dire for a majority of people, Sirisena said: "The people need immediate solutions to their current grievances such as the power outage, the skyrocketing of the price of essential commodities, food shortage, ever escalating cost of living and many more. If we are to find immediate solutions to these pressing issues, first and foremost action must be taken to form a stable government".</p>
<p>
<strong>Read More:<br />
</strong></p>
<p>
<strong><a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/is-rajapaksa-waiting-for-loans-to-placate-people-and-stave-off-challenges-to-power-162826.html">Is Rajapaksa waiting for loans to placate people and stave off challenges to power?</a></strong></p>
<p>
<strong><a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/sri-lanka-crisis-should-india-take-the-afghan-humanitarian-model-to-support-the-people-162058.html">Sri Lanka crisis: Should India take the Afghan humanitarian model to support the people?</a></strong></p>
<p>
<strong><a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/with-food-crisis-ballooning-rajapaksa-family-in-sri-lanka-faces-its-moment-of-truth-159992.html">With food crisis ballooning, Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka faces its moment of truth</a></strong></p>

Rahul Kumar

Rahul Kumar writes on international issues and is a keen watcher of South Asia, environment, urban development and NGOs.

Recent Posts

EAM Jaishankar meets South Korean special envoys, discusses defence, maritime and tech cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met a delegation of special envoys from the…

12 hours ago

Amnesty International slams Pakistan for using anti-terror laws to crush Baloch voices

Amnesty International has issued a report demanding the immediate and unconditional release of detained leaders…

12 hours ago

India sends 300,000 Measles and Rubella vaccine doses to Bolivia amid outbreak

India on Thursday dispatched a consignment of 300,000 doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines, along…

12 hours ago

Bangladesh: 4 killed in Gopalganj as NCP rally triggers violent clashes with Awami League supporters; curfew imposed

At least four people were killed and dozens injured in violent clashes between law enforcement…

18 hours ago

Earthquake of magnitude 7.3 rattles Alaska, tsunami warning issued

An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 on the Richter Scale rattled Alaska in the early hours…

21 hours ago

“Challenge before us is to stabilise global order”: EAM Jaishankar at SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet

Amid rising global tensions and economic uncertainty, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday raised…

22 hours ago