Sri Lanka proposes interim government amid fuel, food and medicine shortages | world news

A caretaker government has been proposed in Sri Lanka three years before the next elections to stabilize the country and restore peace amid protests over fuel, food and medicine shortages.

President Rajapaksa dissolved his cabinet last week after 41 MPs left the government to become independent.

Currently the President’s brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa Sri LankaPrime Minister and would be replaced in the caretaker government.

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Muslim protesters in Sri Lanka demonstrate against President Rajapaksa

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said the independents were in talks with other political parties to find a solution.

Jathika Hela Urumaya party leader Udaya Gammanpila said: “The main proposal is to have an all-party committee to make important decisions, as well as the appointment of a new prime minister and a limited cabinet.”

He also said: “We want that before a new election. We have to reverse bottlenecks and stabilize the economy.”

Sri Lankan university students clash with police during protests
Picture:
Sri Lankan university students clash with police during protests

Demonstrators across the country have called for the resignation of the country’s president, accusing him of not handling the crisis well.

Locals in Sri Lanka had to queue to buy fuel, cooking gas, food and medicine.

There were also widespread power outages as locals struggled to cope with the shortages.

The nation will begin talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) later this month to find a solution to its debt crisis.

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Doctors in Sri Lanka protest against drug shortages

The heavily indebted country has $25bn (£19.2bn) in external debt maturing over the next five years.

The IMF said it was very concerned about the country’s economic crisis and was engaging with its finance ministry.

Sri Lanka has also asked India and China for help.

SLFP Secretary-General Dayasiri Jayasekera said: “Discussions with the IMF require a stable government capable of doing so
Implementation of clear guidelines.

“This is necessary to fix the economy and bring relief to the people.”

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, told the protesters: “Today the country needs a big change and a fresh start.

“We are asking every citizen of this country to come together and change this system. To get together and tell these people to go.

“It’s enough now, it’s enough to destroy the country, now go and give it to someone who can rule this country.”

President Rajapaksa has been accused of borrowing too much money to finance projects that do not bring enough profit to Sri Lanka.

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