Colombo: Amid tension over the economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that steps will be taken to amend the Constitution of the country to re-enact the contents of the 19th Amendment to further empower the Parliament.
Taking to Twitter, President informed that a new Prime Minister who commands a majority in Parliament and is able to secure the confidence of the people will be appointed within this week.
“Steps will be taken to form a new government to prevent the country from falling into anarchy and to maintain the affairs of the state that have come to a halt. A PM who commands a majority in Parliament and is able to secure the confidence of the people will be appointed within this week,” he said.
He also said that the new government will be given the opportunity to present a new programme and be empowered to take the country forward.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Indian High Commission in Colombo denied media reports that certain political leaders and their families have fled to India.
- Security forces have been ordered to shoot on sight anyone looting public property or causing harm to life,” the Defence Ministry spokesman Nalin Herath said on Tuesday.
- Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha has been evacuated from his official residence in the presence of troops after a large number of protestors gathered outside his official residence.
- Enraged protesters set the Rajapaksa family’s Ancestral home in Medamulana on fire
- Reportedly, District Attorney General on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the incident of violence between anti-government and pro-government protestors on Monday.
- With the growing instances of violence in Sri Lanka, the United States and European Union voiced their concern over the deep crisis in the island nation.
- Amid the nationwide curfew, large groups of protestors violated the strict curfew norms and carried out protests at major sites across the country.
- According to the Colombo National Hospital, around 217 people were injured during the violent incident.
- The Colombo Stock Exchange has declared a market holiday on Tuesday due to difficulties in settlements of funds and securities.
- Amid the instances of protests and violence, the curfew has been extended till Wednesday.
- Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board is likely to hold an emergency meeting to take a call on the upcoming tours of Australia and Pakistan in the country.
- The meeting might also discuss the shifting of the Asia Cup which is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka