Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake issued a commandment to the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Kollupitiya Police for not implementing the Court order issued against the protest held in Mainagogama, a hypothetical village built in objection to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa near Temple Trees as part of the larger movement against the current regime.

Accordingly, the OIC of the Kollupitiya Police is ordered to appear in Court on May 09.

On May 02, the Additional Magistrate issued a Court order to remove the vehicles and platforms set up in front of Temple Trees, following a request made by the Kollupitiya OIC.

Despite the Police’s efforts on dissolving the protest in Mainagogama today (04), massive objections were raised by the protesters pointing out that the obstructions were due to the buses parked on the pavement by the Police and not due to the demonstrations.

The Police had to withdraw and return as the protesters continued to deny dissolution.

MIAP

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who has become the sole voice
in Parliament for belling the cat said in parliament today that a local bank is
about to collapse.

He said the collapse of the bank would cause huge losses to its depositors as well as government parties and to look into the possibility of such an opportunity to recover. He also said that with the collapse of the country’s economy in this crisis, the collapse of the banking system could cause great damage.

The former PM said that no bank should be allowed to collapse.The real problem for banks is that they are starved of forex flows and the Forex inflows projected looks bleak he noted. CBSL forex reserves are down to $50 Million USD.

The Former Prime Minister told LNW that the Finance Minister must appoint a high powered expert committee who have the capability and experience to provide guidance to immediately to overlook the stability of the Banks and finance companies.

The huge increase in interest rates has also caused a shock to the economy. Especially after the floating of the currency. This should have happened gradually, he noted.

Below is an unedited footage taken on the tense situation occurred at the Parliament entrance this (04) afternoon as a group of protesters were arrested by the Police.

These protesters were arrested on the allegation of damaging vehicles and obstructing traffic.

The Police denied granting the suspects police bail and these youths are to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court.

Meanwhile, another protest is being staged in front of the Maharagama Police station in objection to what they claim as an arresting of peaceful protesters.

MIAP

The Police have reportedly denied granting police bail to the 13 protesters who were arrested during a protest at the Parliament entrance.

Accordingly, the arrestees are due to be produced before the Magistrate Court in Kaduwela.

In the meantime, another protest is being staged in front of the Maharagama Police station in objection to what they claimed as an arresting of peaceful protesters.

As of this moment, the protest in front of the Maharagama Police station is backed by a large crowd.

MIAP

Reports on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa preparing to resign from his post are completely false, said MP Dinesh Gunawardena, responding reporters after the Ruling Party MPs’ meeting today.

In response to the recent reports on Rajapaksa preparing to deliver a special statement in Parliament today, Gunawardena stated that the Prime Minister has no such preparation whatsoever.

The Prime Minister, nevertheless, is expecting to deliver a statement in Parliament regarding the crisis situation in the country soon, he added.

MIAP

MP Vasudewa Nanayakkara stated that his group will not support any motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking to media after a discussion with the 11 party MP group, Nanayakkara made this observation in response to the no-confidence motion tabled by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Insisting that his party would not support such a resolution, the MP added that he does not expect other parties representing his group to support it either.

He went on saying that there is no need to table a motion against the President and that the prevailing crisis can be solved while he stays in Office.

Should the President’s powers be reduced, it can be done via the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, he added.

Commenting, MP Udaya Gammanpila stated that the crisis could be resolved by the resignation of the Prime Minister and the formation of a government in which all parties represent.

MIAP