Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Sri Lankan parties agree to form all-party interim govt after Rajapaksa's resignation

The unprecedented developments witnessed in Sri Lanka were inevitable in the face of people's raging fury against the Rajapaksa family over its handling of the economic crisis, leading strategic affairs experts in India said on Sunday.

High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media & social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports & such views are also not in keeping with the position of Government of India: High Commission of India in Colombo

Anti-government protesters occupying the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa here on Sunday held a mock Cabinet meeting and "discussions with the IMF" to ridicule the government led by him, a day after they stormed into the complex in fury over the nation's crippling economic crisis.

Sri Lankan crisis a 'serious' matter, says EAM Jaishankar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday called the economic crisis in Sri Lanka is a "serious" matter and highlighted India's help to the island nation.

Don't take part in protests, China's Embassy in Sri Lanka warns its nationals

China, which has invested billions of dollars in Sri Lanka, has warned hundreds of its nationals in the country not to participate in any protests there, as it watched warily the fast unfolding crisis in the island nation where large masses of people raided the President's palace and burnt the Prime Minister's residence.

New govt: Leaders' take

“We agreed in principle to form a government of unity with all parties participation for an interim period," Wimal Weerawansa of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party's breakaway group said. “This will be a government where all parties are represented," he said. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, another leader of the SLPP breakaway group said they need not wait for Rajapaksa's resignation on July 13.

Sri Lanka's main Opposition parties on Sunday agreed to form an all-party interim government after the anticipated resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday, following unprecedented political turmoil that forced him and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to offer their resignations over the mishandling of the nation's crippling economic crisis.

Sri Lanka’s opposition political parties met on Sunday to agree on a new government a day after the country’s president and prime minister offered to resign in the most dramatic day of the ongoing political turmoil, with protesters storming both leaders’ homes and setting fire to one of the buildings in a rage over the economic crisis.

India's response: Responding to the situation in Sri Lanka, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds. "We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period," he said in a statement.

President Rajapaksa, PM Wickremesinghe have no moral right to remain in power: Sirisena

Former Sri Lankan President and chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe have no moral right to remain in power and warned that "a very dangerous situation" will arise if they don't quit immediately.

India is aware of the many challenges that SriLanka and its people have been facing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said.

Dhammika Perera resigns as cabinet minister

Amid mayhem and chaos in Sri Lanka, Investment promotion Minister Dhammika Perera has resigned from his ministerial portfolio.He was appointed as the Minister of Investment Promotion on June 24, reported Daily Mirror.

India stands with Sri Lanka, following developments closely: MEA

The ministry of external affairs on Sunday said that India stands with the people of Sri Lanka, "as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework".

Embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose location is still unknown since the protesters overran both his office and the official residence, has ordered officials to ensure the smooth distribution of cooking gas after the fuel-starved country received 3,700 metric tonnes of LP gas, his office said on Sunday.

Leaders of the protest movement in Sri Lanka who have forced the president and prime minister out of their official residences said on Sunday they will occupy the buildings until the two quit office.

Protesters at the Presidential palace

Protestors have been spotted having tour of grounds, having lunches, enjoy gym-time at Presidential palace in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

I join the grief of the people of Sri Lanka who continue to suffer from political and economic instability: Pope Francis. (Reuters)

The Congress on Sunday expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka and its people in this moment of crisis and hoped that India will continue to assist the neighbouring country in dealing with the current situation. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in a message, said the Indian National Congress has been following with concern the evolving political situation in Sri Lanka.