Sri Lanka’s main opposition party SJB has submitted two no-confidence motions, each against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to the speaker of parliament, in a bid to remove them from office as anti-government protests continue in the crisis-gripped island country amid an unprecedented economic crisis. 

“We made these decisions at the parliamentary group meeting….We also had a dialogue with some MPs who have decided to be independent,” Harshana Rajakaruna, general secretary of the SJB, was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror. He also ruled out joining any interim government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Once considered the strongmen of Sri Lankan politics, the Rajapaksa brothers lost their popular support as the country plunged into a severe economic crisis under their watch as a result of the foreign exchange crisis. For over four weeks now, the country has been witnessing protests, in the capital and elsewhere, demanding the ouster of two brothers.

Despite growing protests and cracks within the ruling coalition, the government has been resisting the demand for the resignation of the president and the prime minister. However, they have agreed, in principle, to form a unity government.

“We will bring in a no-confidence motion against the Speaker as well if he fails to heed to our request,” SJB’s Harshana said.

Unfazed by the move, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that he continued to enjoy the majority in the house. This, despite close to 40 lawmakers having parted their ways from the government’s ruling alliance.

“I am very confident of winning the NCM. I have the numbers with me in Parliament. If I lose the numbers, I will step down," Rajapaksa was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror. His assertion came days after the majority of party lawmakers extended support to him in a party meeting called by President Rajapaksa. 

Meanwhile, India has extended another $200 million line of credit to Sri Lanka for the purchase of fuel. With this, New Delhi’s total assistance to Sri Lanka surpassed $3 billion, covering the imports of food, fuel, and other essentials.  Besides this, talks are also happening with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and China for assistance.

 (SAM)