News

Short-term proposals by the National People’s Power to end the current political crisis and bring about political stability in the country.

1. Incumbent President Gotabhaya Rajapakse should step down immediately.

2. In the absence of a current Prime Minister, the Speaker should act as the Caretaker President.

3. As the present government and the composition of the present parliament no longer represent the people’s mandate, and the people’s confidence in the government has been lost and the people will not accept any change made in the present parliament, a new government should be formed within 6 months with a new mandate. As a temporary governance structure for the time being we propose the following:

a. Allow the National People’s Power to elect an interim government through Parliament since the National People’s Power is ready to take on the responsibility of ending the current political crisis and anarchy and taking the country on a new path.

b. If not, form an interim government in the current parliament for a short period of time. In that case, the members of the National People’s Power will support the initiative while in opposition

4. The interim government, which will be appointed in any of the above ways, shall perform the following functions.

i. The 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which limits the powers of President and limits the term of office of the current President, should be brought and passed in Parliament immediately.

ii. Steps should be taken to provide the much-needed relief to alleviate the severe economic pressures currently faced by the people.

iii. An amendment to the Constitution to abolish the executive presidency should be presented to the Parliament and approved.

iv. A referendum should be held simultaneously with the general election for the constitutional amendment to abolish the current executive presidency, so that a new government can be established within six months of the formation of the caretaker government.

v. An Oversight/Advisory body should be appointed to oversee the functioning of the interim government as agreed. It should consist of representatives of the People’s struggle, religious leaders, representatives of various professional organizations and civil society organizations, including trade union representatives involved in the current people’s movement.

National People’s Power

11 May 2022

Sri Lanka has imposed a Police curfew imposed for the entire country with immediate effect.

Curfew was imposed following ugly scenes between pro-government groups and peaceful protestors in Colombo.

The Curfew currently in place has been extended until 7:00 a.m Thursday (12).

The curfew had been imposed in accordance with the provisions of Section 16 of the Public Security Ordinance from 7.00 pm yesterday (09) while it was initially expected to remain in effect until 7.00 am today (10).

However, it was extended until tomorrow and has now been further extended until Thursday morning.

Lanka IOC (LIOC), IndianOil’s subsidiary in Sri Lanka, has also decided to limit dispensing fuel volumes for vehicles at filling stations, mirroring the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s move.

The move will come into effect from tomorrow (May 09).

Accordingly, filling stations are permitted to dispense fuel worth only Rs. 2,000 for motorcycles at a single time.

For three-wheelers, the limit has been set at Rs. 3,000 worth of fuel.

The maximum amount of fuel allowed to be pumped into cars, vans and SUVs is worth Rs. 8,000.

However, the restrictions are not applied to buses, lorries and other vehicles used for commercial purposes.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation put restrictions on dispensing fuel volumes to vehicles on May 05 in an attempt to prevent a shortage of fuel and to curb fuel-related irregularities.

Armed forces have been ordered to open fire at any person involved in looting public property or causing physical harm to others.

The order was issued by the Ministry of Defence a short while ago (10).

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung expressed concern over the recently declared state of emergency.

She asserts that the voices of peaceful citizens need to be heard.

The Ambassador reiterated that the challenges Sri Lankans are facing require long term solutions and a state of emergency won’t help do that.

Concerned by another State of Emergency. The voices of peaceful citizens need to be heard. And the very real challenges Sri Lankans are facing require long term solutions to set the country back on a path toward prosperity and opportunity for all. The SOE won’t help do that.

— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) May 7, 2022

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has condemned the violent acts that are taking place in the country as hundreds of Rajapaksa loyalists attacked unarmed protesters camping outside the president's office at Galle Face.

"Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating,irrespective of political allegiances," the President said on Twitter, adding that "violence won’t solve the current problems."

The president also requested all citizens to remain calm and exercise restraint and urged everyone to work together in solving this crisis.

"Entire Govt must resign" - Ranil

Pointing out that there is no law and order in the country today, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that not only the Prime Minister but the entire Government must resign.

Issuing a statement in the wake of the barbaric attack that was unleashed on peaceful protestors by government supporters today, the former Prime Minister said;

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared emergency law with effect from midnight on Friday (6), said the President’s Media Division.

The President has declared so, in the interest of public security, the preservation of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung has condemned the violence in Colombo on Monday (9).

In a tweet she said “We condemn the violence against peaceful protestors today, and call on the government to conduct a full investigation, including the arrest & prosecution of anyone who incited violence. Our sympathies are with those injured today and we urge calm and restraint across the island.”

Police have fired tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to disperse protesters gathered near the Parliamentary complex at Polduwa Junction in Diyatha Uyana, Battaramulla.

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) staged a protest march from the Sri Jayewardenepura University, Kotte towards the Parliament complex in Battaramulla last afternoon (05) themed ‘Aanduwa Pannamu; Kramaya Peralamu’.

The group pushed through the initial set of Police barricades, following which a tense situation broke out. Subsequently, upon approaching the second set of barricades, Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the group.

Despite efforts to disperse the group, however, the protesters proceeded to break the barricades, setting up structures with the steel bars adjacent to the Polduwa junction.

Large numbers were seen gathered at the site this morning, after several members of the public joined the protest.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to the President on Monday (9) after violent scenes were witnessed in Colombo, especially near the two main peaceful protest sites against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the premier.

A normal Monday morning turned in to a scene of chaos, after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, where he announced he is willing to make any sacrifice for the people.

The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.

Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.

Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents and assaulted peaceful protestors.

Parliamentary proceedings were suspended for 10 minutes this afternoon (06), after a heated argument broke out over Police firing tear gas and water cannons at the Horu Go Gama protest in Diyatha Uyana, Battaramulla.

Members of the Samagi Jana Balawewa (SJB) staged a protest within Parliament, with MP Harin Fernando and several other SJB MPs visiting Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s room, demanding his arrival.

Fernando threatened that in the event the Speaker refuses to arrive, he will be detained inside Parliament.

Moreover, the group of SJB MPs urged that the Speaker take up the No Confidence Motion immediately, adding that if a day is not set for the NCM to be presented in Parliament, the public will be brought to Parliament to resolve the matter.

Responding to their requests, Abeywardena stated that a discussion pertaining to the matter will be held with all Party Leaders on Monday (09).

Parliament was later adjourned till 17 May by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.