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Sri Lanka Crisis Highlights: New fuel limits for vehicles announced

By Anuj Cariappa

| Updated: Monday, July 11, 2022, 12:43 [IST]

Colombo, May 24: Sri Lanka has decided to revise fuel Prices with effect from Tuesday i.e 3 am. Minister Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted that the Fuel pricing formula that was approved by the cabinet was applied to revise the prices.

Sri Lanka crisis LIVE: India refutes speculative media reports on sending troops to Colombo — A Sri Lankan anti government protester, left, consoles another during a clash with government supporters in Colombo. PTI

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1:07 PM, 24 May

This live blog has been ended.

1:07 PM, 24 May

Sri Lanka has announced new fuel limits for vehicles.

10:25 AM, 24 May

With the second fuel price hike since April 19, now the most-used Octane 92 petrol would cost 420 rupees (USD 1.17) and diesel 400 rupees (USD 1.11) a litre, an all-time high.

9:12 AM, 24 May

Minister Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted that the Fuel pricing formula that was approved by the cabinet was applied to revise the prices.

9:12 AM, 24 May

Sri Lanka has decided to revise fuel Prices with effect from Tuesday (24) 3 AM.

9:11 AM, 24 May

Last week, Sri Lanka received a consignment of a USD 16 million humanitarian aid package from India to help mitigate severe shortages caused by the country’s worst economic crisis in recent memory.

9:11 AM, 24 May

Sri Lanka has been going through a difficult period at this moment and we hope that India will be one of our friends who will come to our assistance at this stage," said, Dr. Kohono recalling the ancient cultural and civilizational links with India.

9:11 AM, 24 May

Dr. Kohona said, many of Sri Lanka's leaders turned to India for inspiration. "I hope that relationship between two countries will continue in the same way.

9:10 AM, 24 May

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Palitha T. B. Kohona has thanked the Government of India for its support and assistance to Sri Lanka during this difficult period for the island nation. He visited Indian Embassy in Beijing to participate in the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations as India is celebrating 75 years of its independence.

11:04 PM, 23 May

On Monday, Alwis was grilled by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for close to four hours, and his statement was recorded over his alleged actions that triggered violent clashes at Galle Face on May 9.

10:41 PM, 23 May

Major General (Retd.) Jagath Alwis has stepped down from his position as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, after submitting his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, officials said.

10:38 PM, 23 May

A top bureaucrat of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Security who is in charge of the police department resigned on Monday over his failure to curb the violent clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters earlier this month that killed at least 10 people and injured over 200 others.

10:21 PM, 23 May

Sri Lanka’s new foreign secretary Aruni Wijewardane assumed duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, as the island nation is grappling with the worst economic crisis and seeking help from other countries to tide over the difficulties.

9:37 PM, 23 May

Sri Lanka’s foreign remittances have fallen over 50% y/y for the month of April 2022, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

9:02 PM, 23 May

"21st A to the Constitution was presented to the Cabinet. The Cabinet took the decision to distribute copies of the amendment amongst the Parliament Party Leaders for their observations. Following this, the amendment will be sent back to Cabinet for final approval" PM

8:51 PM, 23 May

According to NewsWire, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Kanchana Wijesekara, Manusha Nanayakkara & Mahinda Amaraweera have appointed as Cabinet spokespersons.

8:46 PM, 23 May

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed four Cabinet spokesperson for the new Government.

6:32 PM, 23 May

Sri Lanka’s inflation in April hits record high at 33.8%

4:22 PM, 23 May

In a major blow to Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the proposal for the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to curb the unfettered powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, scheduled to be referred to the Cabinet on Monday was not presented before it.

4:22 PM, 23 May

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has extended the travel ban until July 25, Colombo Page news portal reported. On April 7, the court barred 67-year-old Cabraal from travelling out. The travel ban was again extended on April 18.

4:21 PM, 23 May

For the second time, a local court here on Monday extended the travel ban on Ajith Nivard Cabraal, former governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, from travelling abroad as mounting economic woes roil the island nation.

1:37 PM, 23 May

Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday expanded the Cabinet with the induction of eight more ministers but he did not appoint a finance minister once again to handle the worst economic crisis facing the island nation. The new ministers belong to the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and its allies -- the SLFP and the EPDP, a Tamil minority party in the north.

1:36 PM, 23 May

Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced that 95 Octane Petrol will be released to nation-wide filling stations from today.

1:35 PM, 23 May

Further he said that all ambulances are given priority for fuel and daily fuel requirements of hospital generators and ambulances are provided.

1:35 PM, 23 May

Ministry of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara announced on twitter that power cuts DO NOT take place in prioritized hospitals with operating theaters.

9:38 AM, 23 May

Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution seeks to further strengthen the powers of the existing commissions and to make them independent as well.

9:38 AM, 23 May

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is facing growing demand for his resignation for mismanaging the country’s economy, had relinquished his US citizenship in April 2019 before contesting the presidential elections.

9:38 AM, 23 May

The 21st Amendment is expected to annul the 20A which gave unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment which had made Parliament powerful over the president.

9:37 AM, 23 May

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice has said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution will be referred to the Cabinet for approval on Monday, a media report said on Sunday, paving the way to curb the unfettered powers of embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

9:35 AM, 23 May

In a tweet, the Minister said that investigations have revealed that individuals are collecting fuel, and are mixing petroleum products with other liquids to sell them at higher prices. He further requested the general public not to encourage such businesses and to report them to the authorities.

12:51 PM, 11 May

The Indian High Commission here on Wednesday categorically dismissed speculative media reports about New Delhi sending its troops to Colombo, saying India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka's democracy, stability and economic recovery.

12:51 PM, 11 May

The denial from the Indian mission came a day after it refuted as "fake and blatantly false" local social media speculation that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members have fled to India.

The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about #India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of
the Government of #India. (1/2)
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) May 11, 2022

12:51 PM, 11 May

The whereabouts of Mahinda Rajapaksa has been speculated since his resignation on Monday. It was reported that Mahinda had left his office-cum-official residence, Temple Trees.

12:52 PM, 11 May

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday urged people to stop "violence and acts of revenge" against fellow citizens and vowed to address the political and economic crisis facing the nation, even as his elder brother and former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was evacuated to a naval base for his safety after a series of attacks on his supporters that left at least eight people dead.

12:52 PM, 11 May

Nearly 250 people have also been injured in the violence in Colombo and other parts of the country.

12:53 PM, 11 May

A curfew is in force across the island nation after mobs burned down the ancestral home belonging to the ruling Rajapaksa family amid mounting anger at the worst economic crisis.

12:53 PM, 11 May

Though Mahinda Rajapaksa has quit as prime minister, this has failed to bring calm. The protesters are demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya as well.

12:54 PM, 11 May

A Sri Lankan man holds a national flag as police officers conduct investigations into aftermath of clashes between government supporters and anti government protesters in Colombo, Sri Lanka

12:58 PM, 11 May

"I appeal and urge people to remain calm & stop violence & acts of revenge against citizens, irrespective of political affiliations. All efforts will be made to restore political stability through consensus, within constitutional mandate & to resolve economic crisis," President Gotabaya tweeted in his first comments since the outbreak of the violence that saw arson attacks on the homes of several former ministers and politicians.

I appeal and urge people to remain calm & stop violence & acts of revenge against citizens, irrespective of political affiliations.

All efforts will be made to restore political stability through consensus, within constitutional mandate & to resolve economic crisis.
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) May 10, 2022

12:59 PM, 11 May

Hours later, the defence ministry ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others. However, Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva on Tuesday refuted allegations that the armed forces are poised to shoot at the general public to provoke them.

1:12 PM, 11 May

Mahinda, 76, resigned as prime minister on Monday amid unprecedented economic turmoil, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital. The attack triggered widespread violence against pro-Rajapaksa politicians.

1:12 PM, 11 May

Mahinda, along with his wife and family, fled his official residence - Temple Trees - and reportedly took shelter at a naval base in Trincomalee - a port city on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka.

1:12 PM, 11 May

Throughout the night on Monday, the police fired teargas shells to quell mobs trying to enter the Temple Trees residence. In the early hours of Tuesday, police fired tear gas and warning shots to hold back mobs as security forces moved Mahinda and his family out of his official residence.

1:13 PM, 11 May

As word spread about Mahinda's reported presence at the Trincomalee Naval Base, people started a protest near the key military facility.

1:14 PM, 11 May

Join hands, reject disharmony, tweets Sri Lanka President amid escalating violence

This is the time for all Sri Lankans to join hands as one, to overcome the economic, social & political challenges.
I urge all #Srilankans to reject the subversive attempts to push you towards racial & religious disharmony. Promoting moderation, toleration & coexistence is vital.
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) May 11, 2022

1:18 PM, 11 May

On Monday, protesters attacked the ancestral home of the Rajapaksas in Hambantota, the houses of 14 former ministers, 18 lawmakers, including former Deputy Speaker, and leaders loyal to the Rajapaksa family. Video footage showed the ancestral house of the Rajapaksas in Medamulana in Hambantota was burning.

1:27 PM, 11 May

The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices. Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9.

1:45 PM, 11 May

Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the situation in Sri Lanka should serve as a wake up call for India as the country was "treading the same path" as the neighbouring country.

1:45 PM, 11 May

In a tweet, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, "What happened in Sri Lanka should serve as a wake up call. Since 2014, India is being whipped into a communal frenzy & imagined fears. It is treading the same path of hyper nationalism & religious majoritarianism. All at the cost of disrupting social cohesion & economic security".

2:16 PM, 11 May

Sri Lankan police summoned the chief security officer of former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and recorded his statement over the violent clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country that killed at least eight people and injured over 200 others.

2:16 PM, 11 May

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) recorded a statement from the chief security officer of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa over the Galle Face incident on Wednesday, the Colombo Gazette news portal reported. He was summoned to the CID headquarters this morning to be questioned over the attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face and near Temple Trees. A criminal investigation has been launched into the mob attack on peaceful protesters at Galle Face and near Temple Trees, the official residence of the Sri Lankan prime minister.

2:18 PM, 11 May

The Police Headquarters said that the Criminal Investigations Department has been instructed to investigate the incidents. Meanwhile, the Attorney General had advised the Inspector General of Police to expedite the investigations into the incidents.

2:19 PM, 11 May

The Police watched as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters moved into “GotaGoGama” in Galle Face and launched an attack. Several people sustained injuries as the SLPP supporters, armed with poles and other objects, attacked GotaGoGama in Galle Face. The mob destroyed several tents and other structures erected at Galle Face and also attacked some of the demonstrators.

2:23 PM, 11 May

Sri Lankan authorities deployed troops and military vehicles in the streets to ensure public security in the Capital amidst nationwide protests over the government’s failure to tackle the worst economic crisis.

2:37 PM, 11 May

Sri Lanka’s ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa being protected at Trincomallee naval base: Defence Secretary.

3:59 PM, 11 May

The 76-year-old Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) leader, known for his brutal military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during his presidency from 2005 to 2015, is being given protection amidst nationwide protests over the government’s failure to tackle the worst economic crisis.

4:39 PM, 11 May

He is also facing calls for his arrest from Opposition politicians for inciting violence against peaceful anti-government protesters who were seeking his resignation as well as that of his elder brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for mismanaging the country's economy.

4:41 PM, 11 May

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was having talks with the ruling party dissidents and the main Opposition SJB on Wednesday to end the political impasse after the resignation of prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

4:47 PM, 11 May

After nearly two days of political deadlock, the stakeholders are engaged in prolonged talks to try and appoint a successor to Mahinda Rajapaksa.

4:56 PM, 11 May

The Defense Ministry's top official, Kamal Gunaratne, denied allegations of a military takeover, at a news conference jointly held with the country's army and navy chiefs.