抖阴短视频

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka鈥檚 opposition announced on Wednesday it was preparing to form a new government following the resignation of the country鈥檚 prime minister, as the country plunged into political turmoil.

For over a month, protesters have been taking to the streets across the country, which is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa step down. While the president remains in office, his prime minister and brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, quit on Monday, as once-peaceful protests turned violent and at least seven people were killed in clashes.

Troops were deployed to the streets of the capital Colombo on Wednesday with an order to shoot those deemed to be participating in the violence, as acts of arson and vandalism continued despite a nationwide curfew.

The main opposition alliance, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has nominated Sajith Premadasa, leader of the opposition in parliament, to form a new government.

鈥淲e are prepared to form the government with Sajith Premadasa as the prime minister provided the president steps down from his post,鈥� the SJB said in a statement.

Premadasa is the son of Ranasinghe Premadasa, who served as the country鈥檚 president from 1989 to 1993. He contested the 2019 presidential election, in which he lost to Rajapaksa.

Premadasa鈥檚 bid to take over the country鈥檚 premiership has also been endorsed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, a former government coalition member.

The party鈥檚 secretary general, Dayasiri Jayasekara, said in a statement that if Premadasa is 鈥渨illing to accept the Premiership, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is prepared to support him.鈥�

He called on the opposition leader to accept the office without waiting for the president to step down to prevent the situation from further deteriorating into a 鈥渟tate of anarchy.鈥�

The opposition, which has rejected the president鈥檚 calls for a unity government, does not have the necessary two-thirds majority in parliament to impeach him.

The current absence of a prime minister further complicates the situation, as a president鈥檚 resignation must be followed with a takeover by the prime minister under the country鈥檚 constitution, before a new person is nominated to complete the unexpired presidential term.

Sri Lanka is also likely to face difficulties in negotiations for foreign aid without a premier, as it continues discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout. 

鈥淥nce the premier is appointed, the president also could be appointed by the legislature following Rajapaksa鈥檚 withdrawal from his post,鈥� Hussein Mohamed, former Colombo mayor and ex-ambassador to 抖阴短视频, told Arab News.

鈥淎ny delay in taking over the premiership by Sajith Premadasa would lead the country to anarchy.鈥�  

Sri Lankans blame the Rajapaksas, the country鈥檚 most influential political dynasty, for a meltdown in the island nation that reduced reserves to around $50 million, stalling most imports and bringing massive shortages of fuel and key food items and medicines.