Sri Lanka Updates: Protesters Will Move From Important Government Buildings, Singapore Says,- Gotabaya Is On A Private Tour

Expansion

Anti-government protesters in Sri Lanka on Thursday decided to vacate some important administrative buildings, including the presidential residence and the prime minister’s office. The protesters said that we will change places but the demonstrations will continue and they will not stop till the goals are achieved. Protesters occupied the presidential residence and the private residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 9, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. They also entered the Prime Minister’s office on Wednesday.

Now a spokesman for a group of protesters said, “We are withdrawing peacefully from all buildings except the Old Parliament (the President’s office) and Galle Face (where protests have been going on for a long time). We will stay in these places, we will continue to perform till we achieve our goals. Government buildings include the President’s residence, the President’s Secretariat and the PM’s Office.

Guterres appeals to Sri Lankan leaders for a peaceful settlement

Amid unrest in Sri Lanka, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was important to address the conflicts and grievances of the protesters. Taking to Twitter, he urged all party leaders in Sri Lanka to settle for a peaceful and democratic transition. “I am closely monitoring the situation in Sri Lanka and call for addressing the root causes of the conflict and the grievances of the protesters,” Guterres said.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya not granted asylum, but on private tour: Singapore

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reached Singapore on Thursday amid economic and political crisis in Sri Lanka. Earlier, he had escaped from his country and reached Maldives. At the same time, the Singapore government clarified the position on this issue, saying that Rajapaksa is here on a private visit, he has not been given any asylum.

Singapore’s foreign ministry said it had been confirmed that Rajapaksa had been allowed to enter Singapore as a private visit. He did not make any asylum demand nor has he been granted asylum, the statement said. Singapore generally does not grant asylum requests. Rajapaksa arrived in Saudi Airlines plane SV-788 at 7 pm on Thursday.

worst economic situation

Sri Lanka, with a population of around 22 million, is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades. Due to this people are struggling to buy food items, medicine, fuel and other essential commodities. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said last week that Sri Lanka was now bankrupt.