Former Sri Lankan President could not leave Maldives: Abandoned flight to Singapore fearing protests; Speaker said - Gotabaya did not send a resignation

Posted on 14th Jul 2022 by rohit kumar

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled from Sri Lanka, is in the Maldives for two days. According to media reports here, he has demanded a private jet from the Maldivian government to go to Singapore. Meanwhile, the news is also coming that they can also go to Dubai from here, but the situation has not been cleared yet.

 

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa was preparing to fly to Singapore from the Velana International Airport in the Maldives late on Wednesday but left the flight fearing protests. Sri Lankan citizens living in the Maldives protested against Rajapaksa and demanded that he be sent back to Sri Lanka.

 

Gotabaya had reached the Maldives from Colombo on Tuesday night. He is accompanied by his wife and two bodyguards. Rajapaksa\'s brother Basil Rajapaksa has also fled to America. On the other hand, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abhaywardene said that Gotabaya\'s resignation has not been received so far.

 

One killed, 75 injured in protests in Sri Lanka

 

The anger of Sri Lankans flared up after Rajapaksa left the country. Protesters are furiously rioting on the streets of the capital Colombo. Seeing the fierce protest of the people, the army lowered its weapons in front of its citizens. To control, they are just firing tear gas shells or using mild force. One person died and more than 75 people were injured during the demonstration.

 

What happened in the last 24 hours: Emergency imposed, all-party meeting held

 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed acting president hours after Gotabaya, 73, who had promised to resign on Wednesday, left the country. Now the protests have started afresh there. The Prime Minister\'s residence is still in the possession of the protesters.

 

An emergency has been imposed in Sri Lanka because of the violent protests. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appealed to the army to take action to maintain peace. However, the PM\'s order has been opposed by former Field Marshal and MP Sarath Fonseca.

 

Curfew was imposed in Colombo till 5 am on Thursday but has now been lifted.

 

Sri Lankan nationals have been stationed near Velana International Airport in the Maldives since Wednesday evening. They are protesting against Rajapaksa.

 

Meanwhile, an all-party meeting was also held on Wednesday. In this, except for the leaders of the parties involved in the government, all other leaders participated. It demanded the resignation of Wickremesinghe. Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said- A leader with one MP is first made the Prime Minister and then he is the acting President. This is the Rajapakse style of democracy. What is the spectacle? what a tragedy?

 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, \'We cannot tear our Constitution. We cannot allow fascists to take over power. We must put an end to this fascist threat to democracy.

Mr.

 

What next: Rajapakse family important in selecting next president, Premadasa ahead in the race

Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa\'s party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has a majority in Parliament even if a member of the Rajapaksa family is not in power. Due to this, he will have an important role in selecting the new President. The SLPP has 116 members in the 225-member house. The opposition has 108 members.

 

Several members of the SLPP are in favor of former media minister Dullas Alhapparuma. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Janata Vimukti Peramuna Party\'s Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dullas Alhapparuma, and Leader of Opposition Premadasa are in the race for the President\'s post.

 

The President will be the one who will get the support of the SLPP. In such a situation, the role of Mahindra can be important. After the resignation of the President, the PM will become the acting President for 30 days. If the prime minister resigns, the speaker will become the acting president. The presidential election will have to be held in 30 days. Barring Mahinda Rajapaksa, the rest of the Members of Parliament will be eligible for nomination. Mahinda cannot become the President, as the Constitution prevents him from becoming the President for a third term.

 

Also Read: Sri Lanka Crisis: Army and police got a free hand to deal with the protesters, the crowd occupied the PM\'s office

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