News

Sri Lanka to reduce president’s powers in a bid to end turmoil

Published

2 years ago

20/04/2022

MNN

The power transfer from president to parliament will be one of the steps aimed at politically stabilising the crisis-hit country, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says.

Sri Lanka’s constitution will be changed to clip presidential powers and empower Parliament as protesters continued to call on the president and his powerful family to quit over the country’s economic crisis.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament on Tuesday that the power transfer will be one of the quick steps that can be taken to politically stabilise the country and help talks with the International Monetary Fund for an economic recovery plan.

“While looking for solutions to the economic problems, it is important that we have political and social stability in the country,” Rajapaksa said.

He said that reverting to a constitutional status with more powers to Parliament will be the start of reforms.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is the prime minister’s brother, concentrated more powers in the presidency on being elected to the office in 2019.

The Rajapaksa brothers are likely to retain their same grip on power even if the constitution is amended, since they hold both offices.

Cabinet reshuffle

Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy, with nearly $7 billion of its total $25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment this year.

A severe shortage of foreign exchange means the country lacks money to buy imported goods.

In a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday, the president appointed many new faces and left out four family members who held Cabinet and non-Cabinet ministries.

Thousands of protesters were occupying the entrance to the president’s office for a 11th day on Tuesday, holding him responsible for the economic crisis.

President Rajapaksa admitted on Monday that he made mistakes, like delaying going to the IMF for help and banning agrochemicals with the aim of converting Sri Lanka’s agriculture to fully organic, leading to the crisis.

However, both the president and prime minister have refused to step down, resulting in a political impasse.

Opposition parties have rejected the president’s offer to join a unity government, but they are unable to hold a majority in Parliament and form a new government.

Source: TRTWorld

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

16 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

17 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew

News

Redeployment of Indian troops, attributed to critical thinking of President

Published

17 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has revealed that all the Indian military troops, previously stationed in Maldivian platforms were effectively redeployed due to the strategic decision-making skills and critical thinking of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The remarks were made by the minister during a press conference held to officially announce the redeployment of all Indian militants.

Addressing the media, Minister Ghassan disclosed that a total of 76 military personnel were stationed across three platforms in the Maldives. The three platforms include Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Gan in Addu City and Kadhdhoo in Laamu Atoll. The minister further confirmed the successful withdrawal of all foreign troops in the country by the deadline set by the government, which was May 10.

Minister Ghassan stated that the successful redeployment of troops through series of discussions in a small period of time, were attributed to the critical and strategic thinking of President Dr. Muizzu.

Source(s): PsmNews