Sri Lanka party leaders to meet virtually on May 11 to discuss crisis situation

ECONOMYNEXT – Party leaders that represent Sri Lanka’s parliament will meet online via Zoom Wednesday (11) at 3pm to discuss the multiple crises the country is facing, according to a statement from the Speaker’s Office.

“Considering the extremely challenging situation in the country, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has decided that party leaders must meet to decide on the way forward,” the statement said.

The Speaker’s Office on Tuesday (10) announced that a party leaders’ meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning was cancelled until security of MPs could be ensured. A social media backlash followed the announcement, urging the Speaker to hold the meeting virtually via Zoom.

A number of government MPs’ homes and offices were torched by angry mobs around the country Monday and Tuesday, in a wave of spontaneous violence that was triggered by an unprovoked attack on peaceful anti-government protestors by supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

One MP was killed in the mayhem, though some reports say he took his own life.

Sri Lanka is on police curfew since Monday afternoon until Thursday (12) morning. Meanwhile, the military has been ordered to shoot on sight anyone seen engaged in violence or damaging property. (Colombo/May11/2022)