close
Monday, April 11, 2022

Protesters block president’s office amid worsening economic situation in Sri Lanka

Protests against the rising cost of living, fuel and gas shortages, and prolonged power cuts have begun since last Month.

• April 11, 2022
Protesters in Sri Lanka
Protesters in Sri Lanka [Photo credit: Edition.mv]

Protesters in Sri Lanka have carried on with their demonstrations entering a second day, blocking the entrance to the presidential office on Sunday demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

VOA reported that hundreds of protesters stood in heavy rain with raincoats and umbrellas, chanting anti-government slogans. 

The protests have carried on as the country faces bankruptcy, burdened with $25 billion in foreign debt and diminishing foreign reserves.

Last week, Mr Rajapaksa revoked the state of emergency he earlier imposed on April 1. 

Mr Rajapaksa’s actions gave powers to the military to carry out searches and arrests after his residence was besieged by protesters demanding his resignation.

Opposition lawmakers and some ruling party members refused to endorse the president’s state of emergency.

On Wednesday, legislators started a two-day debate on the current situation as protests continued outside the parliament, placed under heavy security.

Protests against the rising cost of living, fuel and gas shortages, and prolonged power cuts have begun since last Month. 

The protests led to the cabinet’s resignation some days ago. Four ministers were sworn in as caretakers, but much of the key portfolios are vacant.

Mr Rajapaksa proposed creating a unity government, but the main opposition party rejected the idea. 

So far, legislators have failed to resolve the crisis after nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.

More from Peoples Gazette

Economy

Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina

“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.

Heading 2

Buhari regime spends N12 billion monthly on school feeding programme: Coordinator

Over 10 million children are being fed through the programme at the rate of N100 a meal per child.

Gbenga Ogbara

Politics

Gunmen killed APC chairman in Osun: Police

It is being insinuated that the killing might be politically motivated, especially with the governorship election in the state being less than three months away.

Buhari and Osibanjo

Politics

Nigerians fume as Osinbajo ‘threatens’ to continue Buhari’s policies if elected

President Buhari’s misrule in almost eight years, has been with the assistance of Mr Osinbajo as his second in command.

Rape

Rights

Man blamed devil after defiling friend’s underage daughters: Police

The accused and the father of the victims were until the incident very close friends and attended the same Lords Chosen Church.

Dispatch rider

Rights

Dispatch rider in court for stealing employer’s N800,000

The defendant was employed as a dispatch rider in a food supplement company for a week when he stole supplements worth N800,000 given to him to deliver.

Court symbol used to tell the story

Rights

Police arraign man for assaulting FRSC officers in Lagos

The defendant, 37-year-old Moses Okhakumen, is being tried on a two-count charge of assault and obstruction.