Colombo: After weeks of defiance Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he’s open to changes in the nation’s constitution to appease protesters calling for his ouster, likely setting the stage for curbing the executive’s sweeping powers as the nation’s deepening economic crisis has boiled over into political turmoil.
Rajapaksa’s latest comments mark a softening in his defiant stand. Last week, he had called for “unity and better understanding” from citizens. The opposition and protesters want the country’s constitution changed to limit the president’s wide-ranging powers, which include calling for elections mid-way through a five-year parliament term and appointing and firing government officials and judges.
The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya party plans to introduce motions for a no-confidence vote and impeachment proceedings against the president in parliament. Gotabaya’s opponents, and coalition partners that have distanced themselves from him, have also called for the abolition of the sweeping executive powers of the presidency through constitutional amendments.
Trims ‘cabinet of relatives’
The President, meanwhile, dropped two of his brothers and a nephew from his cabinet, following public anger over the ruling family’s mismanagement of a crippling economic crisis and calls for his resignation. The new cabinet retains Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya’s older brother and the head of Sri Lanka’s ruling clan, while leaving out eldest sibling Chamal and younger brother Basil.
Bailout package from IMF
A government delegation is headed to the US to engage with the IMF to secure a $4 billion package as it desperately tries to salvage the country’s beleaguered economy reeling under a forex crisis.
The delegation led by newly-appointed finance minister Ali Sabry will hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between April 19 and April 24. Sabry has said that Sri Lanka is seeking a bail out package of $4 billion from IMF, having earlier resisted calls to seek a facility from the global lender. The visit is taking place after the finance ministry said it is suspending repayments of foreign debt, including bonds and government-to-government borrowing, pending the completion of a loan restructuring programme with IMF.
Rations fuel as crisis worsens
Lanka, meanwhile, imposed fuel rationing in another worsening of the economic crisis that has sparked widespread demonstrations calling for President’s resignation. The state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which accounts for two-thirds of the retail fuel market, said it would limit the quantities drivers can buy, and banned pumping into cans altogether to prevent motorists stocking up on petrol or diesel in fear of further rationing. The maximum for motorcycles was set at four litres of petrol, with three-wheelers allowed five litres, the CPC said.
