SRI LANKA’S ARMY CHIEF URGES CITIZENS TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER

Amid ongoing protests, Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, requested all citizens to give their support to the armed forces to maintain law and order in the crisis-ridden country. Meanwhile, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has appealed to security forces not to implement unconstitutional and unlawful orders given by the acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He said in a statement that there was a rumour that shooting orders had been issued to security forces and that there was a serious danger of creating a clash between the civilians and the security forces. He urged the armed forces, as a lawful and disciplined army, not to open fire at unarmed civilians and that their weapons should be directed against corrupt politicians. He said he was in the struggle and was committed to achieving the victory of the people’s struggle.

Further, party leaders decided to request Wickremesinghe to resign forthwith and allow the Speaker to take charge of the country, PTA Leader Mano Ganesan said. At the party leaders’ meeting held a short while ago, security forces discussed whether force should be used to protect the Parliament. However, this request was turned down by the leaders present. The commanders of the three armed forces, joint staff, and IGP also participated in the meeting.

Opposition leaders refused to approve the use of live ammunition against the protesters. Instead, as a political solution, the opposition party leaders decided to request Wickremesinghe to resign forthwith and the Speaker, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, to take charge of the country until July 20, the day on which the voting for a new president takes place in parliament.