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Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE Updates: Former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and ex-minister Basil barred from leaving country
Sri Lanka Crisis LIVE Updates: Sri Lanka's top court on Friday barred former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country without permission until July 28, anti-corruption group Transparency International Sri Lanka said. Three other former officials, including two former central bank governors, also cannot travel outside the country without the court's permission till July 28, the group said in a tweet. Stay with TOI for more updates:Read Less
The new president will serve the remaining tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa till November 2024.
The 225-member Parliament will elect the new president by a secret vote on July 20, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said on Friday.
For the first time since 1978, Sri Lanka will elect the crisis-hit country's next president through a secret vote by the MPs and not through a popular mandate, following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was ousted by a popular uprising against him.
As Acting President, I will take two more decisions. The use of the word "His Excellency" to introduce the President is officially prohibited. As well as the presidential flag will be abolished
Ranil Wickremesinghe
To maintain law & order, I've appointed a spl committee consisting of Chief of Defense Staff, Inspector General of Police and the commanders of the three armed forces. They have been given full freedom to take legal action without any political interference
Acting President
24 members of the army have been injured, 2 of them have been seriously injured today. There is a big difference between rebels and protesters. Many people involved in the struggle since the beginning have expressed their opposition to these acts of sabotage
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Also, there are groups that are trying to set the country on fire through fascist methods by suppressing democracy. Two weapons belonging to the security forces along with bullets were stolen by such persons near Parliament
Wickremesinghe
We must create an environment for MPs so that they can express their opinion independently. They will be provided with full protection. We will not allow any group to destroy the democracy in Parliament
Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe
Three other former officials, including two former central bank governors, also cannot travel outside the country without the court's permission till July 28, the group said in a tweet.
Sri Lanka court orders former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and former minister Basil Rajapaksa to not leave country without court permission until July 28: Anti-corruption group
Wickremesinghe decides to prohibit use of ‘His Excellency' to address President, abolish presidential flag
Sri Lanka's interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday decided to prohibit the use of the word 'His Excellency' to address the President and abolished the presidential flag, as he underlined his commitment to protecting democracy and the Constitution of the crisis-hit country.
Armed forces have been given the powers and the freedom to deal with any acts of violence and sabotage. I am one hundred per cent supportive of peaceful demonstrations. There is a difference between rioters and protesters.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, Interim president, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa ousted; 'We are the real power' says protester
"We are so happy today that he resigned and we feel that when we, the people, come together, we can do everything," said Arunanandan, 34, a school teacher who had been camping at the main protest site opposite the presidential secretariat for the past three months. "We are the real power in this country."
The speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament said Rajapaksa resigned as president effective Thursday and lawmakers will convene Saturday to choose a new leader. Their choice would serve out the remainder of Rajapaksa's term ending in 2024, said Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. He expects the process to be done in seven days.
Will work to strengthen parliament powers: Wickremesinghe
Sri Lanka acting president Wickremesinghe has said that he would work to strengthen parliament powers via constitutional adjustments. (Reuters)
Following his swearing-in, Sri Lanka's acting president Wickremesinghe on Friday requested Parliamentarians to build consensus to establish all-party government.
Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in by Sri Lankan Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
Ranil interim president till elections
Ranil Wickremesinghe will remain the interim president until Parliament elects a successor to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who resigned after mass protests over the country's economic collapse forced him from office.
