US urges Sri Lankan leaders to act ‘swiftly’ to restore stability

The United States urged Sri Lanka’s future new leaders on Sunday to “work quickly” to restore economic stability and quell popular discontent, after the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was announced after he fled his stormed palace. by protesters on Saturday.

Sri Lanka’s new government will “work expeditiously to identify and implement solutions that will bring about long-term economic stability and calm the discontent of the people of Sri Lanka with deteriorating economic conditions, including electricity shortages, food and fuel,” said a State Department spokesman in Bangkok, where US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken is visiting.

Washington also calls on “the Sri Lankan Parliament to approach this stage with the will to improve the situation of the nation, and not that of a particular political party”, continued the spokesman.

The United States warned government supporters against attacking protesters or journalists, but also criticized the violence that erupted on Saturday when crowds stormed Mr Rajapaksa’s residence.

“The people of Sri Lanka have the right to peacefully raise their voices, and we demand a full investigation, arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in any violent incident related to the protest,” the spokesperson said. word.

Mr. Rajapaksa has had a rocky relationship with the United States due to his rejection of war crimes allegations during the bloody Sri Lankan civil war, which lasted several decades, and his close economic partnership with the China.

In recent weeks, the United States and China have offered to support the island, which is struggling with unprecedented fuel and food shortages.

–