What happened in Sri Lanka over the weekend?

Days long queues for fuel, skipping meals, protests and an uncertain future is what the people of Sri Lanka have been forced to reckon with for months now. The crisis doesn't seem to be abating anytime soon. As the nation struggles to get back on its feet, here's what happened over the weekend in the country:

1. PM declares emergency

Prime Minister and acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared a fresh wave of emergency on Sunday night to curb protests and uprising against the government ahead of the voting for a new President. Wickremesinghe had imposed an emergency soon after Gotabaya Rajapaksa had fled o the Maldives. Emergency gives the Army power to detain people without warrants. 

2. 100 days of protests 

Protests entered 100 days into agitation on Sunday, July 17, 2022. The protests began on April 9 near the Presidential office against the incumbent government and protesters say they will continue the agitation till there is a complete change in the system. 

The protests did manage to oust Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the President's post, and now Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is their new target. 

3. Process to elect a new President started 

Sri Lanka has begun the process to elect a new President after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation. Lawmakers convened a meeting on Saturday, July 16, 2022, to start the process. Voting is expected this week. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa are among the frontrunners for the position. 

4. India to hold an all-party meeting 

The Indian government is all set to hold an all-party meeting on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, over the Sri Lanka crisis. Tamil Nadu-based parties DMK and AIADMK have asked the Centre to intervene in the Sri Lanka crisis. 

5. Lanka opposition leader thanks India  

Colombo | We admire the gracious efforts of Government of India for the tremendous support they have given us, in terms of meeting the basic needs of our people. We continue to seek India's help and support in this regard: Sri Lanka LoP Sajith Premadasa#SriLankaCrisis pic.twitter.com/Xh5bNdkWqZ

— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2022

Sri Lanka's Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa thanked India for its help during the nation's difficult times. He said, "We admire the gracious efforts of the Government of India for the tremendous support they have given us, in terms of meeting the basic needs of our people. We continue to seek India's help and support in this regard."

6. IMF calls Sri Lanka crisis a warning sign 

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Saturday said that Sri Lanka's economic crisis should come as a warning sign for other countries. Georgieva said that countries with high debt could be especially vulnerable to such crises. According to the BBC, Laos, Pakistan and Bangladesh are some countries that seem to be inching closer to a Sri Lanka-type situation.  

7. Wickremesinghe decries western sanctions on Russia 

Interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe blamed western sanctions on Russia for Sri Lanka's and the world's suffering. Wickremesinghe was speaking at an international panel discussion on Preventing Hunger and Famine. He said that western sanctions on Russia will not bring down Moscow but will hurt third-world countries in terms of food and fuel. 

He urged for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

8. The situation in Singapore 

Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to Singapore and resigned as the President of Sri Lanka to avoid arrest or worse in the country.  Singapore has been strict about any sort of protests, but the country did see 'muted' agitation against the ousted leader of Sri Lanka. A change.org petition urged Singapore to investigate money laundering allegations against Rajapaksa. 

It is not yet known where Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be seeking asylum, but Singapore had said that the country does not "generally" grant asylums, and neither has Rajapaksa asked for one. 

9. Fuel price slashed 

Diesel and petrol prices were slashed after five hikes since February in Sri Lanka. The prices had been rising after the country's foreign reserve shortage resulted in the import of fuel and other essentials becoming expensive. 

10. Fuel pass 

Sri Lanka has launched fuel passes for the public in order to distribute fuel in an orderly manner. The government has promises that the passes will ensure a weekly quota of fuel to vehicle owners.