President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Presidential Advisory Group on Multilateral Engagement and Debt Sustainability.

Sri Lanka’s crippling economic crisis risks causing starvation across the island nation of 22 million while acute shortages of essentials and debilitating blackouts will get worse, the speaker of parliament warned Wednesday.

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication forecasts a muted recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as Sri Lanka’s economy grapples with macroeconomic challenges arising from high debt, low foreign reserves, and inflationary pressures. ADB forecasts Sri Lanka’s economic growth to dip to 2.4% in 2022 and improve marginally to 2.5% in 2023.

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign, a minister said on Wednesday, despite demonstrations against his handling of the country’s worst economic crisis in decades and as doctors held street protests over a shortage of medicine.

Sri Lanka’s Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando told Parliament that the President will NOT resign.

Sri Lanka has seen a major dip in tea production and lost a chunk of Iranian market for orthodox tea. Around 20% of India’s total tea exports go to Iran and the present decline in Sri Lankan orthodox production may enable India to increase its market share of orthodox tea in Iran.

The former deputy minister, Nirupama Rajapaksa left for Dubai from the Katunayake international airport last night, the Immigration and Emigration Department said.

The JVP says the aspiration of all citizens at present is to eradicate the 74-year-old political system and overthrow the oppressive government.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the entire public have taken to the streets and are demanding that this government cannot fulfill what  is expected of them and want the government out.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued a Gazette notification revoking the proclamation issued declaring State of Emergency.

At least 41 Sri Lankan lawmakers walked out of the ruling coalition on Tuesday, leaving the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a minority in parliament as it struggles with the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.

JVP MP Vijitha Herath today requested the government to take immediate action by informing the Interpol to arrest the Avant Garde Chairman, Nissanka Senadhipathi, who left the country for Dubai this morning (April 05).

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have come forward to support Sri Lanka and therefore the government should have a programme to obtain support from donors.

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratna said that the security forces will act to maintain peace and also will not hesitate to enforce law against those involved in violence.

Finance Minister Ali Sabry who was appointed to the portfolio yesterday (April 04) has resigned from his position in less than 24 hours.

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today (April 05).