Sri Lanka: Opposition asks PM Ranil to quit, GR refuses to resign

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not departed for Singapore on the scheduled Singapore Airlines flight from Male to Singapore but instead will now await to travel on a private aircraft. Sources from Maldives said that Rajapaksa and his wife Ioma Rajapaksa along with their two security officers were expected to leave for Singapore on board SQ437 from Male to Singapore tonight but did not board the aircraft due to security concerns. Talks are now ongoing to secure a private aircraft for the Sri Lankan President to deprt from the Maldives to Singapore, report Daily Mirror. 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s exit from Sri Lanka to Maldives has further deepened tensions in the country. Gotabaya Rajapaksa refusing to step down, despite assuring to do so on Wednesday. This triggered demonstrations yet again as thousands took to streets, Protesters have so far taken over the Presidential palace, PM's office, PM's house, and the state broadcaster. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa called the government's actions thus far "total anarchy". Protesters said they did not want Wickremesinghe at the helm of the country's affairs as he was handpicked by Rajapaksa. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had said that Rajapaksa would resign on Monday, but the President did not. Abeywardena also told the country that an election to elect the new President would be held on July 20.  The Lankan political leaders held an all-party meeting, where it was decided to let the parliament Speaker take over as the acting President. The office of Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been asked to step down, said the ruling party and the opposition must form an all-party government.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung on Wednesday urged Sri Lanka’s political fraternity to ensure a peaceful transfer of power and called for the rule of law to be upheld in the crisis-hit island nation. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said it is closely monitoring the situation in the island nation but would not interfere in the country's affairs. Sri Lanka's Chief of Defence Staff has asked the public to cooperate in maintaining law and order, and appealed to them not to damage public property.Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva in a statement said he and the other heads of the armed forces have asked the Speaker of parliament to call for an all-party leaders' meeting to resolve the economic and political crisis, the worst the island nation has ever seen.