INDIA. Sri Lanka: Amidst the economic crisis and leadership failure raging in the country, Sri Lanka lands itself in trouble. After President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was chased out of his home by angry mobs on Saturday (July 10), Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of the House, declared his resignation on Wednesday, July 13.
The US condemned the violence when agitated protesters assaulted Rajapaksa’s residence to vent their wrath against the nation’s degenerate leader. Such premature exits prompted the US government to impose on Sri Lankan officials the urgent need to seek long-term solutions. The US also issued warnings against journalists and protesters.
A State Department official has acknowledged the political tornado in the country, legitimising the people’s right to peacefully express themselves but has also asked officials to use force and arrest people involved in any agitations that lead to physical confrontations.
The spokesperson also stated, “The Sri Lankan parliament to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation- not any one political party.”
He added, “We urge this government or any new, constitutionally selected government to work quickly to identify and implement solutions that will achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lanka people’s discontent over the worsening economic conditions, including power, food and fuel shortages.”
Both the major superpower nations US and China, have pledged economic assistance to this formerly rich Asian island which now struggles to keep its citizens alive in the wake of a tumultuous war and a deadly pandemic.
Despite Rajapaksa’s denial of war crimes committed in the island’s long civil war and close ties to China, the President has had a controversial relationship with the US.
Also Read: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Resign on July 13
