Colombo, April 4 : Sri Lanka’s embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday appointed his former lawyer and justice minister as the new finance minister, as thousands took to the streets across the island nation demanding the government’s resignation amid a worsening economic crisis. Ali Sabry, who appeared on behalf of Rajapaksa’s alleged corruption court cases in the last administration, was sworn in as the new finance minister on Monday. He resigned from his Justice Minister portfolio late on Sunday. Rajapaksa also appointed three other ministers, but they were assigned to the same portfolio they held before the Sunday’s en masse resignation. Previous Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the younger brother of President Rajapaksa has also resigned. The new move raised questions over the arrangements of the Sri Lanka government to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) later this month. Angry protesters gathered near the private residence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle. Footage showed protestors, gathered near Carlton House, attempting to storm past police barricades, demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the rest of the government immediately step down. Tangalle is located in the island’s deep south and is part of the Hambantota district, long considered a Rajapaksa stronghold. Sri Lanka is facing its worst financial crisis, that has triggered an unprecedented fuel and food shortage. The government’s failure to address the crisis has led it into a political crisis with the public across the country demanding Rajapaksa to resign from his post. However, instead of the president’s resignation, all the cabinet ministers quit on Sunday. Protesters who defied the President’s curfew rule on Sunday amid a State of Emergency continued their agitation into Monday as well. Protesters said they are determined to continue the protests until the President resigns from his post. Sri Lanka’s opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People’s Power (NPP) on Monday rejected an open request by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to all parties representing parliament to accept cabinet portfolios in a proposed interim government. Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, JVP and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said President Rajapaksa had no justifiable cause for such a request. “Thousands across the country are out on the streets demanding that he step down, and he responds by sending a letter,” said Dissanayake, referring to the president’s invitation that was released by his office Monday morning. Dissanayake said the public’s demand is not for an interim administration or for cabinet portfolios to be swapped between politicians on different sides. “That’s not the issue at hand. The people have spoken with one voice. They demand that President Rajapaksa and his administration call it quits,” he said. Rajapaksa’s office said he appointed the four Ministers to maintain the affairs of the Parliament and other functions of the country. President Rajapaksa also appointed a Leader of the House and a Chief Government Whip for the functioning of the Parliament and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Highways and Finance to carry out duties until a full Cabinet is appointed. The President has already requested all political parties in the Parliament to extend their contribution to finding solutions for the current national challenge in the country. The President also sought the support of all the people to overcome the economic challenge faced by the country and stabilize the economy. The other three ministers who were sworn in before the President on Monday included Dinesh Gunawardena (Minister of Education and Leader of the House), Prof. G L Peiris (Minister of Foreign Affairs), and Johnston Fernando (Highways and Chief Government Whip). All these three ministers held same portfolio before they resigned on Sunday. RN
