Cubans decry pre-emptive clampdown on protest anniversary

COLOMBO: The Excessive Fee of India in Colombo dismissed on Monday circulating stories that New Delhi is sending troops to Sri Lanka following one of many largest anti-government marches within the crisis-hit nation this yr.

Sri Lanka is dealing with its worst financial disaster since gaining independence in 1948 and has suffered by means of months of meals and gas shortages which have pressured colleges to close. The nation has suffered file inflation, reaching 54.6 % in June.

Nationwide protests which have rippled amid the devastation reached new heights on July 9, as 1000’s of individuals marched to Colombo and a whole bunch of protesters stormed the houses of the president in addition to prime minister in fury over the financial meltdown, forcing the nation’s management to announce their resignations.

Reviews of India sending its troops swirled within the media after a dramatic day within the bankrupt nation, prompting the Indian Embassy in Colombo to problem an announcement.

“The Excessive Fee want to categorically deny speculative stories in sections of the media and social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka,” the Excessive Fee of India in Colombo stated.

“These stories and such views are additionally not in step with the place of the Authorities of India.”

The Indian Embassy in Colombo additionally issued the same assertion in Might, after stories of New Delhi sending troops surfaced on-line following lethal clashes in Colombo that finally led to the resignation of former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

India, Sri Lanka’s solely rapid neighbor, has been its principal supply of international help throughout the disaster, offering greater than $3.8 billion in credit score traces, swaps and support for the island nation.

India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs claimed that Sri Lanka occupies a “central place” in its international coverage for South Asia, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated on Sunday.

“We proceed to carefully comply with the current developments in Sri Lanka. India stands with the folks of Sri Lanka.”

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that he would step down on July 13, in response to an announcement made by the Parliament speaker, whereas Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe introduced that he would go away workplace when a brand new authorities was shaped.

Sri Lankans are nonetheless occupying the president and premier’s buildings as of Monday, with protest leaders vowing to remain till each Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe formally resign.

Because the political and financial turmoil continues, Jehan Perera, govt director of the Nationwide Peace Council of Sri Lanka, stated that India ought to assist to make sure that democratic rights to protest are revered.

“India ought to proceed to help Sri Lanka economically because it has been doing very generously,” Perera informed Arab Information.

“It should be certain that the democratic rights of the individuals are revered together with the suitable to protest in opposition to a failed authorities.”

Perera added that the occasions in Sri Lanka ought to function a warning to the island nation’s neighbors.

“Sri Lanka is giving an advance warning to neighboring international locations and to the world concerning the want for accountability and checks and balances in governance.”