Colombage Melani Manel Perera

The authorities raid the parish church of Fr Jeewantha Peiris, who backed the protest movement in Colombo. The clergyman has been banned from leaving the country for allegedly participating in “illegal gatherings and damaging public property”. Arrests and intimidation against activists and journalists continue. For the Christian Solidarity Movement, peaceful dissent is essential to solve the current crisis.

The capital's archbishop says Wickremesinghe violated the fundamental rights of anti-government protesters, who were badly beaten by Security Forces. Civil society calls for an independent and transparent investigation, as well as the resignation of the head of state. Lawyers and journalists arrested.

Overnight raid with charges and 9 arrests at the garrison in front of the presidential secretariat occupied for more than 100 days. The show of force despite the fact that the activists - also opposed to the election of the new head of state - had already announced their intention to leave. Those arrested include protest leader and lawyer Nuwan Bogape.

Protesters plan to continue their struggle. For Fr Jeevantha Peiris, “we are not going to move from here”; instead, “Only a change of system can bring change”. For his part, the new president threatens to use force against protesters.

Three candidates are vying for the post of president, but only two, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and opposition-backed five-time MP Dullas Alahapperuma, have any chance. Sri Lanka’s bishops demand that Sri Lankans be allowed to exercise their right to vote. Indian students are arrested for protesting in solidarity with the Sri Lankan people.

Today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe was sworn in as acting president. The majority in parliament could support him but his election would be unpopular among protesters, who have submitted their demands to all parties.

Sri Lankans are still waiting for President Rajapaksa’s letter of resignation. The now former head of state arrived in Singapore today. For Card Malcolm Ranjith, “we are all waiting anxiously to see whether he, the president, will keep his promise to resign.”

Protesters, who are also demanding the PM resign, clashed with police in the capital, targeting the Prime Minister's Office. Meanwhile, state television goes off air. Activists are calling for a travel ban on the rest of the Rajapaksa family.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to resign tomorrow. Reports suggest that he tried to flee the country by sea. Parliament will hold a first meeting next Friday. Hunger continues to affect many Sri Lankans. The World Food Programme is providing food aid to three million people until December.

For the archbishop of Colombo, the president's family “considers their political power more important than the wellbeing of the people”. Even the Buddhist Maha Sangha calls for an all-party government to lead the country out of the crisis.

Due to the situation, many Sri Lankans can no longer afford even one meal a day. Between 600 and 700 people show up at the community kitchen run by Rev Geeth Chamara De Silva. Talks for a credit line continue between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund.

A 63-year-old truck driver died on the fifth day of waiting for fuel. A mother threw her five-year-old son into the Kelani River and attempted suicide. Food prices rise and there is a shortage of medicines. Opposition fears danger of civil war amid growing conflict.