crisi política a Sri Lanka
New leadership in Sri Lanka
For hours yesterday, it was not clear who was in charge of Sri Lanka. |
The president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled to the Maldives overnight — but did not resign. His appointed replacement, Ranil Wickremesinghe, moved from his role as prime minister to become acting president yesterday. Wickremesinghe had previously said he would resign. |
After the transfer of power, crowds took over Wickremesinghe’s office and the state broadcaster. In his first address as acting president, Wickremesinghe declared a curfew and referred to some protesters as a “fascist threat.” |
Details: The military met protesters with tear gas yesterday. One man died of exposure, a rights group said. |
Analysis: Protesters are calling for a wholesale change in leadership, whom they blame for nearly running the country into bankruptcy. Wickremesinghe is unlikely to satisfy their demands: He has been prime minister six times and is viewed as a protector of the Rajapaksa family. |
Background: Food, fuel and medicine are in critically short supply. Prices have soared, power cuts have become the norm and public transportation has often been suspended to shore up fuel supplies.
14-VII-22, nytimes