The country is seeking a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund
After months of boiling public anger over the worst economic crisis in 70 years, thousands of protestors have flooded the President’s palace.
Sri Lanka is currently suffering an enormous economic collapse, a severe foreign exchange shortage and dwindling supplies of fuel, food and medicine. Officials are in talks with the International Monetary Fund, hoping for a $3 billion bailout, but political unrest could jeopardise the proceedings.
NOW – Protesters storm the presidential palace in Sri Lanka's capital.pic.twitter.com/Wv6oQ10kBQ
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 9, 2022
According to Reuters, after months of a sit-in protest in the commercial capital Colombo, protestors stormed the colonial-era white-washed building with no security personnel in sight.
Thousands of protesters in #SriLanka have stormed the president’s palace and taken over his administrative offices. The country is struggling through its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 and the people want the president to resign. pic.twitter.com/Go3a9raXxR
— Jake Hanrahan (@Jake_Hanrahan) July 9, 2022
President Rajapaksa was moved to a secure location on Friday, and today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called an emergency meeting of the party leaders. Wickremesinghe has also been moved to a secure location and has asked the speaker to summon parliament.
Protestors taking a dip in the pool at President’s House. pic.twitter.com/7iUUlOcP6Z
— DailyMirror (@Dailymirror_SL) July 9, 2022
Chants calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation are plentiful, as are videos from within the presidential residence. In one video shared by Newswire on Twitter, thousands can be seen huddled together as they break past barricades. In another, groups of people are swimming in the President’s pool.
According to a recent update, Rajapaksa has agreed to respect the decision of his party leaders.
Just yesterday, Japan’s longest-running former Prime Minister was shot while giving a speech. Shinzo Abe, who was 67 at the time of his death, was reportedly shot in the right side of his neck and died in hospital shortly afterwards.
As far as global leadership is concerned, Abe San was ahead of his times. The Quad, the ASEAN-led forums, the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative, the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure all benefited from his contributions.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
Under his leadership, Japan became a vocal critic of China’s treatment of Taiwan, urging the United States to commit to defending Taiwan in case of attack.
Leaders from across the globe have shared their condolences with India’s Narendra Modi writing: “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe.
“He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.”
A wonderful person, great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order has passed away.
I mourn with his family, his friends and all the people of Japan.
This brutal and cowardly murder of @AbeShinzo shocks the whole world. pic.twitter.com/ztSJnlDsi6
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 8, 2022
Similarly, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, said: “A wonderful person, great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order has passed away.
“I mourn with his family, his friends and all the people of Japan.
“This brutal and cowardly murder of @AbeShinzo shocks the whole world.”
Related links:
- Boris Johnson: The Prime Minister has agreed to stand down
- Newsnight replaces end credits with list of ministerial resignations set to Bittersweet Symphony
- Rishi Sunak has resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Shinzo Abe: Moment former Japanese prime minister shot while giving speech
