#turmoil #Sri #Lanka #explained
Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency after the crisis-hit nation’s president fled to the Maldives, and protesters also called for the prime minister’s resignation.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has announced his resignation after months of anti-government protests over the worst economic crisis in the country’s history.
– What happened to the economy? –
Sri Lanka’s vital tourism sector was first hit by Islamist extremist bombings of churches and hotels in 2019 and again by the coronavirus pandemic the next year.
Its coffers were further drained by government tax cuts, and Sri Lanka ran out of the foreign exchange needed to import everything from medicines to food and fuel.
Even with help from India and others, the country defaulted on its $51 billion external debt in April and has been in bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund for months.
– How did this affect normal people? –
Sri Lankans have suffered for months from medicine and food shortages and power outages, while petrol and diesel stations have run out despite pleas from Russia and others for discounted oil.
Unofficial inflation rates are second only to Zimbabwe’s, making many commodities – if they can be found – too expensive for many people to afford.
The United Nations has warned that Sri Lanka is facing a serious humanitarian crisis with millions already in need of assistance.
More than three quarters of the population had reduced their food intake due to the country’s severe food shortages, according to the UN.
– Who are the Rajapaksas? –
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 73, head of state since 2019, is just one member of a clan that has dominated politics in the South Asian country of 22 million people for years.
Brother Mahinda, 76, served as president for a decade until 2015, overseeing the bloody end of Sri Lanka’s long-running civil war in 2009, when Gotabaya – dubbed “The Terminator” – headed the security services.
Under Mahinda, Sri Lanka drew closer to China, borrowing billions of dollars on vanity projects like cricket stadiums and airports, and a deep-sea port that has since been leased to Beijing.
– How did the Rajapaksas react to the crisis? –
After months of protests, Rajapaksa loyalists rampaged in May. At least nine people were killed in nationwide violence, while the homes of members of the ruling party were set on fire.
Mahinda resigned as prime minister – escorted from his residence by security forces – but Gotabaya pulled on and replaced him with veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe, 73.
Wickremesinghe has little to show for his efforts and his home was torched by protesters last week – he was absent – even as he offered his resignation.
President Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka for the Maldives on Wednesday.
– What now? –
The speaker of the parliament earlier said that Gotabaya – whose presidential palace remains occupied by protesters – would officially resign on Wednesday to ensure a “peaceful transition”.
But with no formal announcement of his exit, thousands of protesters crowded outside Wickremesinghe’s office, also demanding his exit.
Rajapaksa appointed Wickremesinghe as acting president in his absence on Wednesday.
A successor must be elected by a parliamentary vote within a month of Rajapaksa’s resignation, but the Speaker has promised a new leader within a week.
However, it is unclear who could garner enough support among lawmakers to succeed Rajapaksa.
Social Tags:
#turmoil #Sri #Lanka #explained
