Protesters have broken into the private residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and have set it on fire, footage reveals.

Protesters have broken into the private residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and have set it on fire, footage reveals.

Sri Lanka is agreeing to pay crazy prices plus commissions for a 40000 MT of fuel, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva alleged
“We hear numerous ‘local agents’ are crawling out of the woodwork for ‘emergency procurements’. As oil prices are crashing, Sri Lanka is agreeing to pay colossal prices plus Rs 700 million ‘commissions’ per 40000 MT shipment to crooks and thieves” Dr. de Silva said in his Twitter.
The issue was raised in Parliament yesterday where Dr. de Silva said CPC officials were summoned before Committe on Public Enterprises (COPE) to discuss matters pertaing to oil, but they have refused to be present yesterday.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who responded said, adjust times, so that COPE could meet CPC officials. “It was me who wanted COPE to look into these matters,” the PM said. 5 Ships carrying fuel expected to arrive next week but no shipments till July 10.
Sri Lanka will receive five shipments containing petrol diesel, furnace oil and criude oil this month a top government official confirmed adding that this will be relef for the people waiting in long queues for severaldas ner fuel filling stations expecting arrival of fuel bowsers to petrol sheds in various parts of the island.
One ship carrying diesel is expected to arrive at the Colombo Port on July 12, petrol shipment on July 14 , furance oil on July 13 and crude oil shipments on July16,17, and 18, he added.
Earlier Sri Lanka’s Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Sagala Ratnayake stated that several discussions and attempts to secure a fuel shipment before the expected date are being carried out.
The PM’s Chief of Staff confirmed that a shipment of Diesel of 38,000 MT is expected to arrive in the country on July 12.
The Ministry of Power and Energy claimed orders had been placed for 10 fuel ships, but not a single would arrive before 10 July.
The LIOC sources said that they are expecting three petrol and diesel shipments soon without menationing the dates.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) does not have dollars to pay for suppliers and it doesn’t have rupees to pay its employees, a top official said.
“In the last few months, all our income generating sources have stopped. We are paying workers with a bank overdraft, he disclosed
The CPC has to pay about US$ 800 million for fuel shipments they have purchased earlier,” the official said.
Ratnayake further claimed that while one Petrol shipment from India is expected to arrive by July 22 and the CPC has been carrying out efforts to secure a Petrol shipment by July 10.
A total of 11,000 MT of Diesel, 5,000 MT of Petrol, 30,000 MT of Furnace Oil, and 800 MT of Jet Fuel are currently available in the country
The current Diesel stocks in the country will only be used for essential services until the arrival of a new shipment. 33,000 MT of gas will arrive in the country in July, and a total of 100,000 MT of gas will be procured for the next four months, the local media reported.Shipments are due on 10th. 12th.14th 16th, 17 th 18 th 19th, 21st, and 31st July, it added.
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Two former Sri Lanka skippers and renowned cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara expressed their solidarity to the people’s struggle against the inefficient regime led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
They urged the people of Sri Lanka join hands in the struggle to free-from the ruling politicians who were mainly responsible for the economic down turn in the country .
Internationally acclaimed cricketer and former Sri Lanka Captain Kumar Sangakkara who led the SL team towards glorious victories noted that although he is not an economist,he can see the need of an urgent solution for the burning economic problem ,
He noted that bringing fuel shipment or two will not solve this problem. and the people should come forward in unison at this decisive moment for a change of corrupt and inefficient regime .
Former Sri Lanka skipper Roshan Mahanama noted that all citizens of this country should extend their support to current struggle to make it as the first national unity struggle for a regime change since 1948.
He noted that this may be the last chance for the people to change the most corrupt political system hand he will also participate in the protest as he needs to save the country for future generations and as a person who has already enjoyed two third of his life time.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told the Party Leaders that he is willing to resign as Prime Minister and make way for an all-Party Government to take over.
He says he is taking this decision in view of the fact that island-wide fuel distribution is due to recommence this week, the World Food Program Director is due to visit the country this week and the Debt Sustainability report for the IMF is due to be finalised shortly.
So as to ensure safety of the citizens, he is agreeable to this recommendation by the Opposition Party Leaders.
Due to the crisis situation in the country, an order has been issued that all liquor shops should be closed from 05 pm today. The Excise Department has issued this order.
Accordingly, all liquor shops will be closed tomorrow till 09 am.
It is reported that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned from the presidency due to public opposition and the protests held today.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has decided to call a meeting of party leaders to discuss the current crisis situation. In addition, the Prime Minister has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to convene Parliament as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawega has decided not to participate in any discussion called by the Prime Minister.
The party says that the President had decided to bow to the people’s opinion when the entire people of the country were urging him to step down. However, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya emphasizes that the President changed his decision due to Ranil Wickramasinghe assuming the post of Prime Minister, and because of this, Ranil Wickramasinghe defended the President who lost the power of the people.
SJB further says that he is not ready for any discussion with Wickramasinghe, who defended such a person.
While the country’s attention is focused on the protest at the President’s Residence, two ships belonging to the Navy have left the port of Colombo. Thus the two ships Sindurala and Gajabahu have left.
The scenes showing how some bags are being hurriedly loaded for these ships are currently circulating on social media and a spokesperson of the Colombo Port has mentioned to the media that the two ships carrying a group of people left the port.
Since the beginning of the protest a few months ago, members of the security forces, who have been working to suppress the protestors, have been seen joining each other with the militants since this afternoon.
A few moments ago it was reported that a group of army personnel had also joined the protestors.
Earlier it was reported that a police officer and a member of the Police Special Task Force joined the protesters.