Protestors take part in a demonstration against the economic crisis in Colombo on April 9, 2022 (AFP)
COLOMBO: Efforts by opposition parties in Sri Lanka to bring down the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government are gathering pace. After initiating steps for a no-trust motion, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and his MPs discussed a proposal to abolish the executive presidency, SJB MP Eran Wikramaratne told TOI.
Chief opposition whip and SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella has announced the party planned to table such a proposal in parliament. Premadasa has said the legislature must be strengthened too “without paving the way to a similarly dictatorial premiership by ensuring adequate checks and balances”. On Friday, the SJB had threatened a no-confidence motion and began obtaining signatures against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government.
On Saturday, social media messages calling people to the streets triggered the biggest protest since the crisis boiled over last month. Tens of Thousands of protesters marched on the road to the office of President Rajapaksa in Colombo. Students, activists and others stood in large groups near the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat on the seafront shouting “Go home Gota”. They held up placards that said, ‘it’s time for you to leave’ and ‘enough is enough’. Many waved the national lion flag and shouted and sang slogans against the government. Police in riot gear took positions inside the heavily guarded premises while huge yellow barricades blocked the entrance to the president’s office. “These are innocent people here. We are all struggling to live. The government must go and allow a capable person to lead the country,” one protester said.
The protests appeared to be peaceful, but a police official said teargas and water cannon were at the ready if needed. Residents said there were widespread protests in the suburbs of the capital too.
(With inputs from agencies)
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Protestors take part in a demonstration against the economic crisis in Colombo on April 9, 2022 (AFP)COLOMBO: Efforts by opposition parties in Sri Lanka to bring down the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government are gathering pace. After initiating steps for a no-trust motion, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and his MPs discussed a proposal to abolish the executive presidency, SJB MP Eran Wikramaratne told TOI. Chief opposition whip and SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella has announced the party planned to table such a proposal in parliament. Premadasa has said the legislature must be strengthened too “without paving the way to a similarly dictatorial premiership by ensuring adequate checks and balances”. On Friday, the SJB had threatened a no-confidence motion and began obtaining signatures against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government. On Saturday, social media messages calling people to the streets triggered the biggest protest since the crisis boiled over last month. Tens of Thousands of protesters marched on the road to the office of President Rajapaksa in Colombo. Students, activists and others stood in large groups near the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat on the seafront shouting “Go home Gota”. They held up placards that said, ‘it’s time for you to leave’ and ‘enough is enough’. Many waved the national lion flag and shouted and sang slogans against the government. Police in riot gear took positions inside the heavily guarded premises while huge yellow barricades blocked the entrance to the president’s office. “These are innocent people here. We are all struggling to live. The government must go and allow a capable person to lead the country,” one protester said. The protests appeared to be peaceful, but a police official said teargas and water cannon were at the ready if needed. Residents said there were widespread protests in the suburbs of the capital too. (With inputs from agencies)FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA