Sri Lanka’s acting Prez declares state of emergency

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s newly elected acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a fresh state of emergency, days after taking the new office ahead of a vote in parliament later this week to elect a new President.
A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued declaring a state of emergency across the island with effect from today (July 18).
He added negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries were also progressing.
“It is expedient, so to do, in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community,” the statement read.
Wickremesinghe had announced a state of emergency last week, after president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country when massive protest flared across the country on July 9 forcing him to resign.
Wickremesinghe added that July would be a ‘difficult time for fuel supply.’ “But, diesel stocks have been secured and are being distributed while from the 21st of July petrol will also be distributed,” his statement noted.
Two Diesel Cargos completing discharge in Colombo at the moment and one more Diesel Cargo at the harbour to be discharged, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told media on Monday.
One Petrol Cargo is undergoing the quality sampling and will begin discharging tomorrow. Deliveries to Rural Depots by trains and trucks will start tomorrow.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa opposed the declaration of the state of Emergency. In a twitter message, he said: “Imposition of Emergency is an undemocratic draconian act. Peace loving citizens of our motherland have the sacred privilege to exercise their fundamental rights in a democratic society. Long live democracy.”
UNI