Sri Lanka: Parliament begins as PM warns of hardship

Sri Lanka’s parliament is set to reconvene in a four-day session that could see lawmakers vote in a new deputy speaker and weigh in on the financial crisis after Prime Miner Ranil Wickremesinghe warned of further hardship the day before.
The new government plans to sell its national airline to stem losses, part of efforts to stabilise finances even as authorities are forced to print money to pay government salaries. Wickremesinghe warned the next couple of months will be the “most difficult ones of our lives.”
Sri Lanka’s main opposition party said it will not take any minerial positions in the new government and wants to work toward ending the rule of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Key Developments (All times local):
Main Opposition Party Won’t Hold Cabinet Positions (7.20 am)
The main opposition party will continue to look at ending the “Rajapaksa rule,” which is the first step in rebuilding the country, its leader Sajith Premadasa said in a tweet. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya party plans to not take up any cabinet positions.

Police to Arrest Lawmakers Involved in Mob Violence (12.10 am)
The Attorney General has directed the police to arrest lawmakers involved in a violent clash last week between supporters of former prime miner Mahinda Rajapaksa and protesters calling for his resignation and that of his brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, local media reported.
The lawmakers belonged to the Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party, according to reports.
Sri Lanka Imposes Power Cuts Again After Holidays (12.05 am)
The country will impose power cuts for May 17 again after two days of continuous power supply on public holidays, the Public Utilities Commission said. Prime Miner Ranil Wickremesinghe had previously warned of up to 15 hours of blackouts.
Sri Lanka Seeking Dollars in Open Market for Fuel Imports (6.30 pm)
The nation has only one day’s stock of gasoline and the government is working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for three ships with crude oil and furnace oil that have been anchored in Sri Lankan waters, Wickremesinghe said.
Sri Lankans protest demanding president Gotabaya Rajakasa resign and decrying the appointment of Prime Miner Ranil Wickeremesinghe in Colombo, May 13, 2022. (AP)
Wickremesinghe said he was forced to permit the printing of more money to pay salaries, accepting that it would add pressure on the rupee. The government will present a new ‘relief’ budget for this year to replace the current spending bill, he said, adding that he expects a 13% budget deficit for 2022.
The prime miner is yet to appoint a finance miner to lead bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund.
Trade Unions to Hold Three Day Protest (3.30 pm)
Workers groups across the country will on Wednesday begin a three-day nationwide strike against the arrest of protesters involved in last week’s clashes, an umbrella organization of the country’s trade unions said in a statement. The demonstrators were instigated the actions of the pro-government groups, they said.
“It has been decided that the trade unions will hold nationwide protests on the 18th, 19th and 20th demanding an immediate halt to the arrest and interrogation of the public who have responded to the thugs’ actions in defence of the thugs,” the statement added.
Curfew to Be Reimposed Monday Night (1.40 pm)
Sri Lanka will reimpose an islandwide curfew from 11 pm Monday until 5 am. Tuesday, the president’s media unit said in a statement. The curfew, first imposed after violence erupted May 9, had been lifted since early Sunday to allow people to celebrate a Buddh religious holiday.
Prime Miner to Address The Nation (1.35 pm)
Wickremesinghe will make a televised address to the nation at 6.30 pm Monday, his media office said. It gave no other details.