Colombo, July 13 – Sri Lanka\u2019s political crisis reached a boiling point today as protesters stormed the prime minister\u2019s office, hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country ahead of his resignation deadline. Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena confirmed President Rajapaksa authorized Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to assume presidential duties, sparking widespread outrage.
Thousands of demonstrators breached security barriers at key government buildings, demanding accountability for the nation\u2019s catastrophic economic collapse. The country of 22 million faces severe shortages of fuel, food, and medicine, with inflation hitting 54.6% in June – the highest in Asia.
\u201cThis is about survival, not politics,\" said one protester, who spoke anonymously near the occupied prime minister\u2019s office. \u201cWe need leaders who\u2019ll fix this mess, not hide from it.\"
Timeline of Collapse:
– 2022: Foreign reserves drop 99% from $7.5B to $25M
– May: Sri Lanka defaults on $51B foreign debt
– July 9: Protesters storm presidential palace
– July 13: PM takes charge as president flees
The unrest highlights growing global risks for emerging markets grappling with post-pandemic recovery and rising food prices. International Monetary Fund talks resume next week amid escalating uncertainty.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
