Sri Lankan PM resigns under pressure from opposition, 4 including MP killed in pro-anti-government violence, former minister’s house burnt

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, on the verge of bankruptcy, resigned on Monday under pressure from the opposition. After this, there was tremendous violence between government supporters and opponents in many parts of the country including the capital Colombo. In this, ruling party MP Amarkirti Athukorla and his security guard were killed. The mob also torched former minister Johnston Fernando’s luxurious house in Mount Lavinia area. His family was barely saved. An attempt was also made to set the house of an MP Sanath Nishantha on fire.

The danger of such confrontation in the country is increasing very fast. It is believed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa may deploy the army in major cities. According to the information received late in the evening, a total of four people have died in the violence so far, while 119 people are injured.

What is possible next

Last week, prominent opposition leader Sirisena met the President. It was decided that Prime Minister Mahinda would resign. After this an interim government will be formed. However, before the interim government is formed, peace will have to be restored in the country. The Rajapaksa family is still dominant in the government, but they want to make the opposition a part of the failures by taking them along. Therefore an interim government can be formed soon. The opposition also knows that if the country is to be saved, then at this time the government and especially President Gotabaya will have to support it.

There have been reports of violent clashes between police and protesters in many parts of Sri Lanka. An even greater danger has arisen with the resignation of Mahinda. Actually, his elder brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not want Mahinda to resign, but he had to bow down to the demand of the opposition. On the other hand, he took his supporters out on the streets. Now clashes have started in many parts of the country between the opponents and supporters of Rajapaksa brothers.

According to Sri Lankan media, MP Amarakirthi Athukorla was passing through a road in Nitambuwa with his gunner and driver in his car. There was a red light on his car. Hundreds of anti-government protesters were present on this road. These people surrounded the MP’s car and raised slogans. The MP came out in anger and opened fire on the crowd with a personal pistol. Two people were seriously injured in this. After this the MP ran away and hid in a nearby building. After some time his body was recovered from there. It is not yet clear whether the MP was killed in the mob attack or if the cause of death is something else. Some reports said that the MP committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol to avoid being killed by the mob.

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Emergency imposed twice in a month

In view of the deteriorating economic condition, the common people had violently demonstrated in the National Assembly on Friday. After this, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa again announced the imposition of emergency. A month later, a state of emergency has been imposed in Sri Lanka. Prior to this, emergency was also imposed on 1 April, which was lifted on 6 April.

Bangladesh gave one more year to repay the loan of $ 200 million
Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. The country’s foreign exchange reserves are almost exhausted, due to which it is unable to import essential things. In view of this, Bangladesh has extended the repayment period of $ 200 million given through currency swap by one year.

The directors of Bangladesh Bank took this decision in a meeting. According to the Daily Mirror report, central bank spokesman Serajul Islam said that it has been extended without changing the terms of the loan. At the same time, people’s protest against the government continues.

Bangladesh gave loan in 2021

Bangladesh had given an aid of $ 200 million to Sri Lanka in May 2021 under the currency swap agreement. Sri Lanka was supposed to repay the loan in 3 months, but then Sri Lanka got into a serious financial crisis. After this Bangladesh has extended the loan repayment period.

Bangladesh sending humanitarian aid

Bangladesh recently sent emergency medical supplies to Sri Lanka. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Malek presented boxes of medicines to Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sudarshan DS Seneviratne at a token handover ceremony held at the State Guest House. Momen described the supply of medicine as an expression of solidarity and friendship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Seneviratne said Sri Lanka values ​​friendly relations with Bangladesh and is committed to further strengthen it.

During this period, Bangladesh’s Essential Drugs Company Limited and Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries together handed over medicines worth 100 million to Sri Lanka.