As the country’s economic crisis worsens, the president of Sri Lanka lifts the state of emergency

*Paromita Das

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa lifted the state of emergency late Tuesday after dozens of lawmakers quit the ruling coalition, leaving his government in a minority in parliament as it struggles to quell protests amid the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.

In yet another setback for the administration, Finance Minister Ali Sabry resigned a day after his appointment and just days before crucial talks with the International Monetary Fund on a loan program.

On Monday, Rajapaksa dissolved his Cabinet and sought to form a unity government as public outrage grew over the ruling family’s handling of the debt-ridden economy, which has resulted in food and fuel shortages and prolonged power outages.
A doctors’ organization also warned the government that there was an acute shortage of medicines, which could bring the health-care system to a halt.

Rajapaksa revoked the emergency rule ordinance that went into effect last Friday in a gazette issued late Tuesday.

“I, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, hereby revoke the gazette with effect from midnight on April 5, 2022,” said the gazette, referring to the previous order.
Politically, the president’s elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, could be replaced as prime minister, or snap parliamentary elections could be held ahead of a scheduled vote in 2025.

There was no indication of what was planned right away.

In his resignation letter to the president, Sabry stated that he believed he had “acted in the best interests of the country.”

“At this critical juncture, the country requires stability to weather the current financial crisis and difficulties,” he said in the letter obtained by Reuters, offering to resign from his parliamentary seat if the president wanted to replace him with someone from outside the country.
Politically, the president’s elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, could be replaced as prime minister, or snap parliamentary elections could be held far ahead of a scheduled vote in 2025.

There was no immediate indication of what was planned.

Sabry stated in his resignation letter to the president that he believed he had “acted in the best interests of the country.”

“At this critical juncture, the country requires stability to weather the current financial crisis and difficulties,” he said in the letter seen by Reuters, offering to resign from his parliamentary seat if the president wanted to bring in someone from outside to replace him.
Protests on the streets against food and fuel shortages, caused by a lack of foreign exchange for imports, began last month but have recently intensified, resulting in clashes between protesters and police in some cases.

On Tuesday, dozens of protesters peacefully gathered near the prime minister’s residence.

‘BY THE PEOPLE’

Party leaders in parliament have announced the names of the 41 lawmakers who will leave the coalition.

They are now independent members, leaving Rajapaksa’s government with fewer than the 113 members required to maintain a majority in the 225-member house.
There has yet to be a vote count, but Rajapaksa’s minority government may find decision-making more difficult. Independent legislators, on the other hand, could continue to support government proposals in the House.

“Essentials such as fuel and cooking gas are in short supply. Hospitals are on the verge of closing due to a lack of medicines “According to Maithripala Sirisena, leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, which withdrew its support for Rajapaksa’s coalition.
“At this critical juncture, our party is on the side of the people.”

Sri Lanka has announced the temporary closure of its embassies in Oslo and Baghdad, as well as the consulate general in Sydney, effective April 30.

A citizen explains the Sri Lankan crisis: milk powder costs Rs 1900 and sugar costs Rs 240 per kg.

The foreign ministry stated that it was restructuring Sri Lanka’s diplomatic representation due to the country’s “economic situation and foreign currency constraints.”

According to the Government Medical Officers Association, which represents over 16,000 doctors across the country, there is a severe shortage of medicines, including life-saving drugs.
“Failure to ensure a continuous and adequate supply of essential medical drugs will result in the collapse of the entire health system,” it wrote in a letter to the health ministry.

“This will endanger the lives of our citizens, who are already in the grip of an unprecedented crisis.”

SHARES INCREASE

The Colombo Stock Exchange’s All-Share Index increased by about 6% as lawmakers made their positions known in parliament.

Sirisena and other lawmakers have urged the president and prime minister to present a clear plan to resolve Sri Lanka’s financial crisis.
Opposition parties, however, urged the two brothers to resign, reflecting the mood of protests sweeping the country of 22 million people. On Sunday, a third brother, Basil Rajapaksa, resigned as finance minister.

The opposition parties have also rejected the formation of a unity government comprised of all parties represented in parliament.

“There should not be a voice that is diametrically opposed to the voice of the streets. And there is a voice that says there should be change “said Sajith Premadasa, leader of Sri Lanka’s main opposition alliance, Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

“The people want this president and the entire government to resign.”
As police stood guard with tear gas and water cannons, a small group of protesters gathered near parliament.

“If the government loses its majority, the opposition could bring in a vote of no confidence, but there is a parliamentary procedure that goes around it first and is unlikely to happen immediately,” said constitutional lawyer Luwie Niranjan Ganeshanathan.

If a vote of no confidence is passed, the president has the authority to appoint a new prime minister, he said.

Ganeshanathan added that the opposition could also introduce a resolution to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections.