Muristek
Colombo, April 18
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa became the only member of the family to retain a Cabinet position in his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa's new Cabinet of 17 ministers appointed on Monday, as the island nation was facing the worst economic crisis.
Earlier this month, Sri Lanka's entire Cabinet — aside from President Gotabaya and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa — resigned from their posts after thousands of people defied a countrywide state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
Fuelling crisis
10% rise in price of Octane; at a record high of 338 rupees per litre35% rise in diesel price, at 289 rupees per litre60% fall in Sri Lankan rupee till March 7The previous Cabinet had to make way for the President to form a unity cabinet with Opposition members. The Opposition, however, declined the offer.
Rajapaksa swore in a 17-member Cabinet on Monday in addition to the three ministers he had earlier appointed.
That meant no place for the oldest member of the family Chamal Rajapaksa, Mahinda's son Namal Rajapaksa, both of whom were Cabinet ministers and the nephew Shasheendra who was a state minister.
The Cabinet appointment came as the island-wide protests continued to force the resignation of the president and his family for mishandling the economy. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. The economic crisis triggered a political turmoil in the island nation. — PTI
Sri Lanka to seek another bailout from India
New Delhi: Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Ali Sabry will meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Washington DC in the coming days to seek bridge loans. Colombo plans to seek $2 billion from India as a temporary measure till IMF approves its request for $4 billion bailout.