Arundathie Abeysinghe

Many Sri Lankan refugees who returned home after fleeing to Tamil Nadu during the civil war are considering fleeing again due to Sri Lanka's financial woes. However, the Indian Navy has stepped up coastal patrols and is returning refugees to their villages.

Prime Minister Mahinda, President Gotabaya's brother, plans to support an amendment to the Constitution granting more powers to Parliament. Protesters continue to call for the resignation of the entire government, while some politicians have also called on the premier to leave office.

Amid a worsening crisis, Sri Lanka meets with International Monetary Fund, while India continues to provide financial assistance. Meanwhile, anti-government protests show no sign of abating with demonstrators blocking roads and railways.

The former prime minister asked President Rajapaksa to delegate public finances to parliament and set up a consortium of countries to provide economic assistance to the island, currently crushed by runaway inflation and a shortage of essential goods. The situation remains at an impasse because of the president’s unwillingness to resign, but his party is no longer able to organise a rally in his support.

The leaders of eleven parties have asked President Rajapaksa for an interim government to adopt new policies to cope with a shortage of basic goods. Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party left the ruling coalition. Four main Buddhist groups call for the government to step aside.

The amount would be added to the 2.8 billion the Chinese have granted since the outbreak of the pandemic. New economic agreements also with India. Blackouts continue due to lack of fuel.

Impact on tea exports, tourism and foreign currency crisis. A prolonged clash risks stopping exports altogether, not least because of rising energy prices in Europe. At the moment no wheat, sunflower oil, iron and steel products are arriving from Russia and Ukraine.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet calls for sanctions against Sri Lanka for its failure to identify those responsible of killing 40,000 civilians during the 1983-2009 civil war. The Sri Lankan government fears that the arrest of a suspect near London could lead to the detention of current military officers and government officials.

The government follows the fighting, but has said it will remain neutral. Moscow is among the main buyers of Sri Lankan tea. Many medical students are stranded in Kyiv.

Political parties that oppose the president are incapable of coordinated and unified action. Cleavages weaken the opposition and going it alone will not work.

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister told the Indian government that their bilateral relationship is strong. However, concerns are growing in Delhi over Chinese investments on the island. Control over Hambantota port boosts China's position in the Indian Ocean.

The Council’s next session could hold Sri Lanka responsible for war crimes and other abuses. Trade concessions by the European Union are at risk. If they were lost, country's economic situation would worsen further.