Sri Lankan president loses parliamentary majority

 Sri Lankan president loses parliamentary majority

Sri Lankan president loses parliamentary majority

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka president lost his parliamentary majority on Tuesday as former allies urged his resignation following days of street protests over the island nation’s crippling economic crisis.

Unprecedented shortages of food and fuel along with record inflation and blackouts have inflicted widespread misery in the country’s most painful downturn since independence from Britain in 1948.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s once-powerful ruling coalition is in turmoil after a string of defections, capped on Tuesday by the new finance minister’s resignation just one day after taking office.

And as anti-Rajapaksa demonstrations continued for a fifth straight day, the government warned of retaliation if rallies turned violent.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s once-powerful ruling coalition in turmoil after string of defections

Security forces will not hesitate to enforce the law against those involved in violence. Defence ministry secretary Kamal Gunaratne said in a statement.

More than 60 people had arrested in connection with unrest since Friday and many have said they tortured in police custody.

Also Read: Serious Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka

The UN Human Rights Council said it was closely watching the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. Which is already facing international censure over its human rights record.

“The drift towards militarization and the weakening of institutional checks. Also balances in Sri Lanka have affected the state’s ability to effectively tackle the economic crisis,” the UNHRC said.

Public anger is at a fever pitch in Sri Lanka. Where crowds have since the weekend attempted to storm the homes of several senior government officials.

“If we don’t act now, there will a river of blood in the country,” said Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. A newly independent lawmaker who broke ranks with the president’s party and joined calls for the leader to step down. “We have to forget party politics and ensure an interim government.”

Web Desk

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