Sri Lanka crisis: Party leaders demand President’s resignation during emergency meeting

As protestors stormed official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called an emergency meeting with party leaders in order to control current situation on Saturday.

According to local media reports, meeting was also attended by Speaker where ministers urged Rajapaksa to tender his resignation in order to stabilise situation in country. As of w, re were reports of President tendering his resignation to Speaker, media reports quoted Prime Minister’s office saying, "President said he will respect decision taken at Party Leaders’ meeting today."

Meanwhile, amid reports of President fleeing to some or place, a government spokesman, Mohana Samaranayake, said he had information about Rajapaksa’s whereabouts.

Though visuals of Presidential palace were "unprecedented," it was t clear if Rajapaksa was inside his residence. In television foot, it showed hundreds of people inside well-fortified house and on grounds outside, some taking a dip in garden pool and ors in a jubilant mood.

Wickremesinghe says financial condition of country depends on IMF aid

Earlier this month, newly-appointed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that nation was targeting $5 billion for repayments and $1 billion to support country's reserves. He said that discussions with International Monetary Fund (IMF) are currently going on and was optimistic that negotiations would conclude this month. Furr, he clarified that debt restructuring has already begun after appointment of financial and legal advisors.

According to Sri Lankan PM, financial condition of country will depend on agreement with IMF, if reached positively.

PM Ranil accuses Rajapaksa govt of  Sri Lanka crisis

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan PM blamed earlier government for food crisis in country. According to him, Mahinda Rajapaksa-led government had abruptly implemented a 100% organic agriculture model by banning chemical fertilisers.

He said this resulted in collapse of agriculture sector. Moreover, he claimed that foreign exchange shorts caused by a fall in tourism during COVID-19 pandemic were also a major reason for current situation. However, this time, securing fertiliser and compiling a food security program were being given equal priority, he maintained.

Im: AP