Acting President Ranil Wickramasinghe has said that the armed forces have been instructed to bring the extraordinary situation under control while the curfew and emergency laws have been enforced.
Ranil Wiramasinghe said this by issuing a special report regarding the current situation of the country.
This is the statement issued by Ranil as Acting Chancellor. In the said report,
“The Acting President and I, the Speaker, are currently working to establish an all-party government and create a peaceful atmosphere in the country, but the protesters and some individuals are trying to disrupt it.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left for Maldives last night. He informed me and the speaker. He had also announced that he would resign from the presidency. After forming an all-party government, the president can be elected through voting.
Today’s protesters had several plans. We got to know them through intelligence agencies. They were preparing to besiege the Prime Minister’s Office, the Air Force Commander’s residence, the Navy Commander’s residence and the Parliament.
They had nothing to do with the Prime Minister’s office and it was only the Speaker’s decision that stopped the siege of Parliament.
They seize these places and try to strengthen the power of the country and appoint someone of their choice. Some say the Constitution is useless. They are trying to act unconstitutionally. It cannot be allowed. We must protect the Constitution. The assets of the country must be protected.
Therefore, I have decided to issue a curfew and implement a state of emergency as per the instructions of the security forces.
This is the future of your children, the people of the country. All should support army and police.
Everyone should respect the law. The country must be protected. Ranil Wickramasinghe added that this fascist menace must be stopped somehow.