Sri Lanka Latest: Xi Vows Aid ‘Within Capacity’ to New President
(Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka’s new President Ranil Wickremesinghe called in the military to maintain “public order” and troops began dismantling a key protest site near the presidential office early Friday, leading to tense scenes with demonstrators.
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The oceanfront Galle Face camp was swarmed by hundreds of soldiers and police officials who detained some protesters and tore down the makeshift tents. A nationwide emergency, that allows military and police sweeping powers to arrest and detain people, remains in place.
Wickremesinghe appointed Dinesh Gunawardena, an ally of former premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, as prime minister. Wickremesinghe will be finance and defense minister, eroding hopes of an all-party government to revive bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund. The new president was sworn in on Thursday after winning a three-way race in parliament.
Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the worst since it gained independence in 1948, has spiraled into a political crisis as well. Soaring inflation and acute shortages of everything from food to fuel to essential medicines have brought thousands of citizens to the streets.
Key Developments
Sri Lankan Army Clears Protest Site Before Cabinet Sworn In
How Sri Lanka Landed in a Crisis and What It Means: QuickTake
Sri Lanka Picks Ex-Leader’s Ally as President, Risking Fury
(All times local Sri Lankan)
Xi Pledges Aid (4:39 p.m.)
China is willing to provide support and assistance within its capacity to Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lankan people, Chinese state TV cites a congratulatory message sent by President Xi Jinping. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and believes the country would be able to overcome temporary difficulties and advance its economic and social recovery.
Colombo is asking Beijing for a loan of $1 billion to repay an equivalent amount of Chinese debt coming due this year, Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to China, said in an interview to Bloomberg Television July 15. It is also seeking a $1.5 billion credit line to pay for Chinese imports and activation of a $1.5 billion swap, he added.
Wickremesinghe Keeps Finance, Defense Portfolios (1:55 p.m.)
The president will hold the finance and defense portfolios, according to his office. Wickremesinghe swore in an 18-member ‘interim’ cabinet, similar to the one headed by former-president Rajapaksa, mostly consisting of government allies and some defectors from the main opposition party. One-time finance minister Ali Sabry was given the foreign minister portfolio.
Opposition Lawmaker Says President is on “Warpath” With Protesters (12:00 pm.)
“The current president is now on a warpath with protesters,” said Rauff Hakeem, lawmaker from the opposition Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “His actions last night show that now he is determined to be a little more oppressive when it requires for him to get his premises cleared.”
Wickremesinghe to Keep Finance Portfolio (11:40 a.m.)
The president will retain the finance portfolio in the cabinet, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The position is a crucial one as Sri Lanka looks to talks with the IMF and seeks financial aid from countries like India and China.
New PM Takes Oath of Office (10:30 a.m.)
Gunawardena, 73, entered politics in 1980s through the nationalist Mahajana Eksath Peramuna party, before allying with the Rajapaksas’ SLPP for the 2020 parliamentary election. He has been foreign minister, education minister, and most recently was minister of public administration and home affairs in Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government.
Opposition Slams Military Action Against Protest Site (8:08 a.m.)
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa denounced reports of the military clearing a key protest site, calling it a “useless display of ego and brute force.”
New Sri Lanka Cabinet to be Sworn in Today (7:48 a.m.)
A new prime minister and cabinet will be sworn in today at 10 a.m., Wickremesinghe’s personal secretary Saman Ekanayake said.
Local media have reported that Dinesh Gunawardena, a close associate of Wickremesinghe, is tipped to become prime minister. He is a lawmaker with a nationalist group aligned with the Rajapaksa’s party.
Police Says Key Protest Site Has Been Cleared (7:20 a.m.)
The armed forces and police removed protesters from around the presidential secretariat and cleared the area, police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa, told a television news channel.
Protesters Say Police Used Force to Disperse Them (7:00 a.m.)
Protest leaders took to social media to say that government troops assaulted them with batons while the cleared out demonstrators from the protest site in Colombo.
US Ambassador Urges for Restraint by Authorities (5:38 a.m.)
Julie Chung, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, has urged for restraint by authorities and immediate access to medical attention for those injured. More than a day ago, she said in a tweet looked forward to working with Wickremesinghe as the new president.
British High Commissioner ‘Concerned’ About Crackdown (5:08 a.m.)
Sarah Hulton, the UK’s envoy in Colombo tweeted to say she was “very concerned” about the reports from the Galle Face protest area.
Armed Forces Called in to Keep ‘Public Order’ (00:01 a.m.)
Wickremesinghe has called in the country’s military -- the army, navy and air force -- to maintain public order across the island nation.
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