Wijewardena, a former deputy governor of the Sri Lankan central bank. “This political uncertainty is a killer of the economy - that has to be resolved fast and in a way that satisfies the people of the country,” said W.A. Many don’t see him as a legitimate leader despite his seasoned political career and expertise, said Bhavani Fonseka, a senior researcher at the Colombo-based Center for Policy Alternatives. Wickremesinghe is the only lawmaker from his party to hold a seat in Parliament after it suffered a humiliating defeat in 2020, limiting his public support and political heft. He recently called the protesters “fascists” and imposed a state of emergency after his office was seized and his private residence torched. Wickremesinghe on Monday declared a state of emergency giving him broad authority amid growing protests demanding his resignation two days before the country’s lawmakers are set to elect a new president. Trade union representatives and activists shout slogans during a protest against Sri Lanka’s acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 18, 2022. They will continue if we don’t make the right choice in choosing our leaders,” said Bhasura Wickremesinghe, a 24-year-old maritime engineering student.Īmong the candidates that Parliament will choose as president are Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the main opposition party Dullas Alahapperuma, a former minister under Rajapaksa who is likely to be backed by a section of the ruling coalition and Anura Dissanayake, a Marxist leader whose public support has grown during the crisis. “Gotabaya resigning is one problem solved - there are so many more. Sri Lanka has only $25 million in usable foreign reserves and needs $6 billion to stay afloat over the next few months. Its currency has collapsed by 80%, making imports more expensive and worsening inflation. Now, the government owes $51 billion in debt and is unable to make payments on its loans. People wait in queue to get their passports outside the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 18, 2022. Doctors are warning people to not get sick while families are struggling to eat three meals a day in a country that was once an inspiration across South Asia for its expanding middle class and high per capita income. “People are probably thinking, who do we talk to? Don’t you guys care about the economy? Will the real president please stand up?” Jayatilleka said.įor months, the country has been on edge, triggered by a foreign exchange crisis that has crippled imports of essentials like fuel, food and medicine. The IMF is monitoring the situation closely, but any bailout package will be contingent on Sri Lanka’s debt-restructuring strategy and political stability. “It’s like in the middle of a serious surgery, everybody from the top surgeon to the anesthesiologist, ran out of the operation room to start a revolution - but they need to come back and finish the surgery before the patient is dead.” “Right now, the eye is off the ball,” said Dayan Jayatilleka, a former diplomat and political analyst.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |