Sri Lankan court bans ex-PM and son from leaving country
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With a deepening economic crisis in Sri Lanka, violence, and arson spiking, the court has issued a travel ban targeting former PM, his son, the President, and several MPs.
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Sri Lankan Ex-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa
Following media reports of possible ties to recent attacks on peaceful protesters, Sri Lakan court, Thursday, banned former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son, and MP Namal Rajapaksa from leaving the country.
Another 15 members of parliament have also been banned from leaving the country over suspicion of conspiring and planning the attacks.
Kamal Gunaratne, Sri Lankan Defense Ministry Secretary, denied all accusations of arranging a military coup.
"None of our officers have the desire to seize power. This has never happened in our country."
On Friday the government imposed a state of emergency in Colombo amid a nationwide strike calling for the resignation of the President. Shortly after, on Monday, groups of pro- and anti-government activists clashed in the country's capital.
In an attempt to mitigate the extended crisis, and after having his and the President's residences on fire, the PM Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in a new Prime Minister Thursday to replace his brother after he stepped down. New Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to serve in office for the sixth time, however, it remains ambiguous whether any legislation will be passed in parliament given current circumstances.
The court decision came following the spike in the number of arsons and the vandalism of public property across the country. As a result, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged the protesters to stop the violence and promised to make effort to restore stability in the country. Furthermore, he has pledged to give up most of his executive powers and set up a new cabinet in the upcoming days.
With the economic crisis worsening in a post-pandemic world, Sri Lanka is now suffering from the worst economic crisis in its history. The crisis comes as a result of faulty financial policies counting mostly on foreign cash flow coming in through tourists and immigrants which has stopped completely with the Covid-19 surge. After burning through cash reserves of foreign currency, the country is now incapable of importing vital materials required for its sustainability.
