Sri Lanka crisis: Island nation in talks with Russia for supply of fuel amid crisis

The interim Sri Lankan president has decided to deploy additional funds from the August-presented relief budget for fuel, gas and basic food supplies. He suggested accelerating the initiative for food security. According to Sri Lankan Prime Minister's office, plans are being developed to create the required environment for business owners to conduct their operations without difficulty

The second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, planned for July 24-28 at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, has been shifted to Galle due to political turmoil in Colombo. According to an article published in Island Cricket, on July 16, Galle, which is now holding the first Test, will also host the second match between the two subcontinental sides.

Kanchana Wijesekera, Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister, said on July 16 that his administration is in talks with Russia about purchasing fuel amid the country's worsening energy crisis. Wijesekera praised the Indian government for providing a credit line for purchasing petrol while the economic crisis continues to affect nearly 20 million Sri Lankans.

India promised Sri Lanka on Saturday that it will continue to assist democracy, stability, and economic recovery in the country, which is at a crossroads due to an unparalleled political crisis and economic turbulence. India's High Commissioner Gopal Baglay assured Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena during a meeting with the Sri Lankan politician.

Over six million people or over 28 per cent of Sri Lanka's population are "food insecure" and this situation is likely to deteriorate as the crisis unfolds in the island nation which is grappling with its worst economic crisis, the World Food Programme has said.

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A shipment of 35,000 metric tonnes of diesel arrived in Sri Lanka today. Speaking at a press briefing Sri Lankan Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said that the batch is currently undergoing a quality check. As reported by News Wire, another shipment is scheduled to arrive later today. 

Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and main Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa are among the four leaders who have joined the race to become the country's next President. Besides Wickremesinghe and Premadasa, Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Dullas Alahapperuma, a breakaway SLPP candidate, are the other two leaders who have so far announced their candidacy to contest the July 20 vote in Parliament to succeed Rajapaksa for the rest of his term until November 2024 after he resigned on Thursday, PTI reported. 

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of National Peoples Power (NPP) on Saturday expressed willingness to contest for Presidential elections. His candidacy was announced by NPP MP Vijitha Herath during a press conference held earlier today, News First reported. 

 Sri Lankan supermarkets are rapidly running out of food and other essential commodities as the economic crisis escalated in the past weeks. In the capital city of Colombo, people waited in queues for days to avail basic supplies of sugar, milk, and medicines albeit fuel and cooking gas. Noting the worrisome situation, the UN agencies have warned that at least 5.7 million Sri Lankans are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the prices of available edibles have skyrocketed due to less supply and more demand given the non-availability of fuel for transportation.

Amid the unfolding crisis, former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday warned that the multiple presidential candidates could lead to division among parliamentarians. Speaking to News First, he advised that all party leaders should propose and elect a single candidate to avert a potential crisis when an all-party government is formed.  

As the crisis unfolds, fish and vegetable prices have skyrocketed in Sri Lanka owing to lesser availability and growing demand. Speaking to News First, Chairman of the Peliyagoda Manning Market Association, H. M. Upasena said that prices went beyond unprecedented levels due to the low volume of vegetables and fish arriving in the markets as a result of the fuel crisis.

Public buses in Sri Lanka will operate on the availability of fuel beginning Saturday. As reported by News First, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association said that bus services "will be in operation with no restrictions." Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Railways General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara confirmed to the publication that the trains will also resume normal service from Saturday onwards.

Ceylon Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (CPPTOA) on Friday confirmed that Lankan IOC is continuously distributing fuel throughout the country. About 100 tankers have been deployed daily, said Joint Secretary of the CPPTOA, as reported by News First. 

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in a resignation letter which was read in Parliament today. "I served my motherland to the best of my ability and I will continue to do so in the future. I took action to protect people from the pandemic despite being constrained by the already poor economic environment that prevailed at the time. "During 2020 and 2021 I was compelled to order lockdowns and the foreign exchange situation deteriorated. In my view, I took the best course of action by suggesting an all-party or a national government tackle the situation," Rajapaksa said in his letter. 

Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa defended himself in his resignation letter which was read out during a special session of Parliament on Saturday. "I served my motherland to the best of my ability and I will continue to do so in the future," he wrote. 

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Amid the acute fuel shortage, Colombo has issued National Fuel Pass with a weekly quota mentioned for every citizen in Sri Lanka. "A guaranteed weekly fuel quota will be allocated. 1 Vehicle per 1 NIC, QR code allocated once Vehicle Chassis number & details verified. 2 days of the week according to Last Digit of number plate for fueling with QR," said the Sri Lankan Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, as quoted by NewsWire. 

Sri Lankan Parliament convened today at 10.00 AM to officially where Speaker announced the President’s resignation and the vacancy in the office of President. 

Security around the Parliament building in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, was heightened on Saturday with armed masked soldiers and roads near the building closed to the public ahead of the meeting where Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will meet MPs to deliberate on choosing a new leader after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation amid mass protests over the country’s economic collapse, Associated Press reported. 

Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne shared the intensity of the fuel crisis in the island country. Speaking to ANI, Karunaratne said, "We've to go for practices in Colombo&to different other places as club cricket season is on but I've been standing in queue for fuel for past 2 days. I got it filled for Rs 10,000 which will last 2-3 days..." He went on to thank India for its relentless support amid the struggle. 

Former diplomats and academics have shared their views on Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private visit to Singapore who boarded a flight to the city-state after fleeing Colombo to Male. "Any Sri Lankan citizen holding a valid passport can come to Singapore for a certain period of time without having to seek any particular permission... he's a normal person, a president is a citizen of his country," the TODAY quoted Bilahari Kausikan, a former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying.

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Indian High Commissioner called on Hon’ble Speaker today morning. According to a Twitter post by the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka, the special envoy "appreciated Lankan Parliament's role in upholding democracy and the Constitutional framework, especially at this crucial juncture." He also conveyed that India will continue to be supportive of democracy, stability and economic recovery in Sri Lanka.

The head of the UN Country Team in Sri Lanka has appealed to senior politicians to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in line with the national Constitution, after the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday.

In a statement issued on Friday on behalf of the UN in Sri Lanka, Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer, stated that it was “imperative that the transition of power is accompanied by broad and inclusive consultation within and outside Parliament.”

Sri Lankan opposition leader announced that he will fight for the presidential elections despite knowing it is an “uphill task”. According to Sajith Premadasa, he is confident of winning the presidential polls and added he would ensure that “an elective dictatorship never, ever occurs” in the island nation, which drove the country into the worst ever economic crisis since its independence. Taking to the microblogging site, he wrote, "I am contesting to be the President. The electorate is confined to 225 MPs with the GR (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) coalition dominating the numbers. Even though it is an uphill struggle, I am convinced that truth will prevail."

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Sri Lanka will elect the crisis-hit country's next president through a secret vote for the first time since 1978,  Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced on Friday. This comes after the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid public unrest amid a stifling economic crisis in the island. 

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on Friday approved power cuts of 3 hours for July 16 and 17. The island will face 1 hour and 40 minutes blackout during the daytime and another 1 hour and 20 minutes during the night, News First reported. 

Sri Lankan Parliament is set to meet at 10 am (local time) today after a tedious shift in leadership in the past two days amid a severe civil crisis in the island country. The meeting was announced by Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday during an early morning press meet while announcing that the House accepted Gotabaya Rajapaksa's step down from Presidential post. 

Amid the tumultuous political landscape in Sri Lanka, ruling SLPP MPs are yet to announce their candidate for the President post after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation. While PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has shouldered the duty of interim Presidency, factions of the ruling MPs "are yet to decide on their support" for him, said SLPP MP Madhura Withanage in an interview with News First. 

As the economic crisis escalates difficulties in Sri Lanka, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that she hopes China would step up its role in debt restructuring for the island that are eligible for treatment under the Common Framework as "Sri Lanka is clearly unable to repay that debt." Yellen stressed that the move will largely be in Beijing's interest, adding that she will urge G20 countries to impose pressure on China to be more "cooperative in restructuring these unsustainable debts."

Following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka President, Republic Media Network spoke to Sajith Premadasa, Leader of Opposition, on Friday. In the exclusive conversation, the leader said that the next President of the island nation will be decided by the 225-member Parliament, and the results would be declared by July 20. Never in the history of the presidency since 1978 that Parliament voted to elect a president. Presidential elections in 1982, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019 had elected them by popular vote.

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party's Parliamentary group has decided that Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa should contest for Presidency. It was reported by Daily Mirror quoting MP Mujibur Rahman. He said that it was a unanimous decision taken by the group after a lengthy meeting.

Sri Lankan opposition's PM candidate Harsha De Silva in an exclusive conversation with Republic said that all the energies at the moment were concentrated on the presidential elections scheduled for July 20. 

When asked if he is confident about the win, said, "No, no I'm not. Various people are saying different things, but I'm not. Our leader is first contesting the Presidential elections based on the outcome of that we will consider the next steps. Our focus now is the election of the president on July 20."

An economist & Member of Parliament (MP), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party representative also added that "the Rajapaksa era is over". He further said that people wanted to oust Gotabaya Rajapaksa because he amended the Constitution for only increasing his powers.

Following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was overthrown by a popular movement, Sri Lanka will elect its next president for the first time since 1978 in a secret vote by the MPs rather than by popular vote. On July 20, the 225-member Parliament will vote in secret to choose a new president, according to a statement made on Friday by the speaker.

Parliament has never chosen a president by vote in the presidency's history since 1978. They were elected by the general public in the presidential elections of 1982, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2019. - PTI

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. - PTI

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education has declared that all governmental and government-approved schools would be closed from July 18 to July 20. The schools will reopen on July 21 - NewsCutter

In a letter to Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Federation of University Teachers' Associations urged him to resign in order to avoid contributing to a tragic constitutional and political impasse that will further destabilise the country- NewsFirst.

Dullas Alahapperuma, Sri Lanka's former Cabinet Minister of Information and Mass Media, has issued a statement declaring that he will run for President when nominations are called for in Parliament - NewsCutter

Sri Lankan media reported on July 15 that the SLPP "Pohottuwa" party has decided to back acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the legislative vote to select the future president.

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa are barred from travelling abroad, according to a Supreme Court judgement - NewsFirst

The Sri Lankan Presidential Palace in Colombo has been ransacked, with interiors and furniture damaged, following a demonstration earlier this week, according to ANI media agency.

Sri Lanka, a famous tourist location, should be swarming with visitors at this time of year. However, recent cancellations of around 40% of pre-bookings due to the ongoing economic crisis and political upheaval have had a negative influence on the nation's tourism, PTI reported.

The largest markets for tourism in Sri Lanka are the India, United Kingdom and China, accounting for around 5% of the country's GDP. According to the report, Sri Lanka is experiencing its biggest foreign exchange crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced the island nation's earnings from tourism and remittances.

According to Bloomberg, Sri Lanka is still negotiating with China for $4 billion in help and is hopeful that the Chinese government would agree to pay it at some time.

Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on July 15 that all efforts will be made to allow MPs to exercise their right to vote for a new President on July 20 and so endeavour to safeguard the constitution.

"There are certain groups who are out to inflict undue influence on MPs on July 20 when they vote to elect a new President. Therefore, all steps will be taken to ensure their security," Wickremesinghe stated, Daily Mirror reported.

Protesters outside the Sri Lankan presidential office in Colombo cheered the news that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had resigned on July 15. The speaker of Sri Lanka's Parliament claimed Rajapaksa resigned by email following large protests over an economic collapse that pushed him from power and compelled him to escape the country. Protest leader Jeewantha Peiris lauded the "collective effort" of demonstrators for bringing together "people from all walks of life."

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka's acting president, says he will restore law and order and take legal action against "insurgents." In response to the clashes near Parliament on Wednesday night, in which many soldiers were reportedly hurt, Wickremesinghe stated that sincere protestors would not participate in such actions.

"There is a big difference between protesters and insurgents. We will take legal action against insurgents," Wickremesinghe said.

Newly-appointed interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a televised statement on Friday said he will restore law and order and take legal action against “insurgents,” Associated Press reported. “There is a big difference between protesters and insurgents. We will take legal action against insurgents,” he said.

Sri Lankan caretaker President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday said that in his short term, he will initiate steps to change the constitution to limit presidential powers and strengthen Parliament. His comments came after he swore in as caretaker President after Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned. 

Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Friday stated that nominations for the vacant Presidency will be called for on 19th July. Speaking at a press briefing, he confirmed that the election will take place "as planned" on July 20. 

Amid the persisting economic crisis, Sri Lanka's Leader of the opposition party (LOP) Sajith Premadasa on Friday called on all parties to make efforts to "protect our motherland."

As Sri Lanka continues to witness political and economic upheaval, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed grave concern about the continuing crisis and its effects on the Sri Lankan people, particularly the country's impoverished and most vulnerable groups. During a press briefing, the Director of the Communications Department of the IMF, Gerry Rice said, “We are closely monitoring the political and the social developments there.” He also added that they are hoping that the current issue can be resolved, so they can resume talking about a program that is supported by the IMF.  

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Following the unceremonious resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the crisis, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday swore in as the acting President of the island until new leadership is announced. PM Wickremesinghe took his oath in the presence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jaisuriya. He will remain in position until the SL parliament votes a new President, which is expected to take place on July 20.

Sri Lankan Parliament, through a press release, announced the new President will be elected through Parliament voting on July 20th as previously decided by the party leaders.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, once considered a "war hero" by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority for crushing the LTTE and ending the nearly 30-year civil war, is now detested by the same people who dramatically stormed his official residence over Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis following which he fled the country in the middle of the night.

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In a short message to the erstwhile Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the SLPP hailed his leadership.Through a written statement the Sri Lanka Podujna Peramun Party also "paid tribute" to the short tenure of Rajapaksa, blaming the forex crisis and COVID pandemic for his ouster.

After the formal resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the  Parliament will convene on Saturday to discuss the election process of the new leader of the island in the next seven days. 

Sri Lanka's central bank governor, Nandalal Weerasinghe, on Thursday told BBC that without a stable government the island would "shut down." He further warned that in the absence of a political body there will be "a lot of uncertainty" over foreign exchange payments as well as securing an IMF bailout package. 

The aircraft carrying former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Singapore was reported as the "most tracked in the world" on Thursday. This underscored that the Sri Lankan crisis has emerged as a global interest, said a report by NewsCutter. At least 5,000 users were reportedly tracking the Saudi Airlines flight, Boeing Co. 787, carrying Rajapaksa from Male to Singapore, as per Flightradar24.com. 

Speaking at a press briefing, Sri Lankan speaker Mahinda Abey Wardena stated that the lawmakers will enact special measures to expedite the smooth transition of power. The measures will be according to No.02 of the Presidential Election Act of Sri Lanka of 1981 and Article 40 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the report added.

Amid the burgeoning public unrest in Colombo, Sri Lankan Speaker Mahinda Abeywardena said that the parliament will convene on Saturday at 10 am. 

Sri Lankan Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, during his press address, urged the Lankan public to let the lawmakers exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful manner. Abeywardena added that he looked forward to complete the process of of electing a new President for the island in seven days. 

Confirming that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as the President, Speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue as acting president until a new president is elected. He added that Sri Lankan Parliament will convene on Saturday at 10 AM.

Sri Lanka's Private Bus Owners Association on Friday claimed that only 10 to 15% of private buses will be in operation. It added that the services offered could increase by 50% on July 18, only if they get fuel supply by this weekend, reported News Cutter.

In a media briefing just ended moments ago, Sri Lankan speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as President of the island country. The erstwhile President of the crisis-hit nation is currently in Singapore after departing from the Maldives.

Amid the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka, party leaders meeting will be conducted at 10 am on Friday under the chairmanship of the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, as per News Cutter. The meeting is set to take place in view of the current situation.

As per the report, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa‘s name will be submitted as Prime Minister of an all- party government during the meeting.

Images credit: AP

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health stated that the exclusive fuel arrangement for health care workers will be reinstated from today, July 15. As per the ministry, 109 fuel stations will provide fuel for health workers but added that the service is subject to limitations, News First reported.

While motor bikes will be allowed 6 litres, motor vehicles and three wheelers will be allowed 20 litres and 8 litres respectively.

Responding to media queries on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's arrival, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued a statement, saying the crisis-hit leader has "not been granted any asylum." The statement clarified that Rajapaksa has not requested for asylum status and is on a "private visit" to the country. 

Two diesel shipments of 40,000 metric tonnes issued each issued by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) arrived in Sri Lanka amid a crippling shortage in the island nation on Thursday. Another shipment of 92 Octane Petroleum shipment of 35,000 metric tonnes is due to arrive in Sri Lanka on July 17. Previous such shipments came from India on May 30 to help ease the acute fuel crisis in the debt-ridden island grappling with worst-in-a-decade economic turmoil. 

On Thursday, the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it had granted diplomatic clearance to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his spouse for a transit visit at the request of Colombo. The Maldivian MFA informed that Rajapaksa and his wife departed for Singapore on July 14.

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Thursday said that now that Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned the island nation "can move forward." He added, " I believe the President would not have resigned if he were still in Sri Lanka, and fearful of losing his life. I commend the thoughtful actions of the Govt. of Maldives." 

In the latest development amid the ongoing civil unrest in Sri Lanka, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and ex-Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will reportedly not leave the country. Apart from these two, SR Attygalle, former Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, will also not leave the country amid the ongoing turmoil.

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Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa will officially resign today at 7:30 am local time, says Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena's office. As per local media reports, Rajapaksa sent the due documents via email to the parliamentary speaker on Thursday. 

Despite no fruitful outcome of talks, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is still in contact with Sri Lankan officials at technical levels and the government, hoping to be able to resume discussions with higher-level officials, an IMF spokesman said on Thursday. "We hope for a resolution of the current situation that would allow for our resumption of a dialogue on an IMF-supported program," IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said in a scheduled press briefing.