Newly appointed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been tasked with coordinating consultations with political parties. President Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to parliament after his election, urging MPs to join forces to change the system. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will work together on the basis of the proposals put forward.
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.
Parliament elected the new head of state this morning with 134 votes. The veteran politician has a few friends among ordinary Sri Lankans who reproach him for his ties to the Rajapaksa family. The main opposition candidate, Dullas Alahapperume, won only 82 votes.
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.
