Colombo: Sri Lanka’s main opposition party is seeking to oust Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and his cabinet. It has called for a no-confidence motion and a referendum. It has accused them of failing in their constitutional duty by pushing the country into its worst economic crisis.
A group of the United People’s Power (PPP) led by leader Sajid Premadasa on Tuesday submitted a petition to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena seeking a vote of no confidence in parliament.
The move comes amid nationwide protests calling for the resignation of Rajapakse and his younger brother, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, responsible for the economic crisis.
Removing Rajapakse and his cabinet from power in a 225-member parliament would require a majority vote. Although the United People’s Power has only 54 votes, the party hopes to win the votes of smaller opposition parties and those who have defected from the ruling Sri Lanka People’s Alliance. It is noteworthy that although the ruling party has nearly 150 votes, that strength has waned in the midst of the economic crisis.
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A decision on when to hold a no-confidence vote is expected after a meeting of parliamentarians begins on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy following its recent announcement that it will suspend payments on its foreign loans. Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves are less than $ 1 billion, as it has to repay $ 7 billion in foreign debt this year out of the $ 25 billion planned for 2026.
Imports have been hit hard by the foreign exchange crisis, which has led to severe shortages of essential commodities such as fuel, cooking gas, medicine and food. People have to stand in long queues for hours to buy essential items. Commodity prices are also skyrocketing.
Opposition parties have stated they will not run in the by-elections, but will use high-ranking government officials to override the ban on chemical fertilizers for agricultural purposes.
Demonstrators on Tuesday occupied the entrance to the Chancellor’s office for the 25th day in a row, demanding the resignation of members of the Rajapaksa family that has ruled Sri Lanka for the past two decades.
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