Team Australia urged people extend their support to Sri Lanka. Australian cricketers Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith said they are encouraging friends to “assist in any way they can” in the UN’s appeal for dollar 47.2 million of emergency funds for the crisis-hit country.
New Delhi: Amid ongoing Sri Lanka tour, Australian cricketers on Saturday appealed to support the country which has been going through worst ever economic crisis. Australia cricket team is on Sri Lanka visit to play T20, ODIs and Test matches and the appeal was made by its players to support United Nation’s campaign in favour the island nation. United Nations has appealed the world to buy urgently needed food and life-saving medicines for Sri Lanka.
Also Read: Amid worst ever economic downturn, thousands protest outside Sri Lanka Prez’s house
Team Australia urged people extend their support to Sri Lanka. Australian cricketers Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith said they are encouraging friends to “assist in any way they can” in the UN’s appeal for dollar 47.2 million of emergency funds for the crisis-hit country. The video was uploaded by the Australian High Commission in Colombo.
In the video, Starc can be seen saying, “The UN has launched a flash appeal in Sri Lanka to support poor communities affected by the crisis.”
Another cricketer said, “We are proud that Australia is doing its bit. Together, we can help Sri Lanka hit this crisis for six.”
Suffering from the worst-ever economic crisis, the people of Sri Lanka had held a massive protest in Colombo in last weel of March. The protesters had staged a massive protest outside the house of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, waved posters and raised slogans.
A day later, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had declared a public Emergency in the country.Declaring Emergency, Rajapaksa in a gazette notification had said, “I am of opinion that by reason of public emergency in Sri Lanka, it is expedient, so to do, in the interest of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.”
Also Read: Sri Lanka: President Gotabaya Rajapaksha revokes Emergency
Since protesters were refused to relent, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on May 6, had once again declared a state Emergency. That was the second emergency in just a month’s time. The government had invoked the emergency provisions to ensure “public order” as the trade bodies had carried out a nationwide strike demanding removal of the government over the economic failure. Later, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to step down.
Hours after the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksha, reports of massive protests in the form of violence and clashes were reported from various parts of the country. The anti-government protests had witnessed burning of houses of the former Prime Minister, ministers and several others. Following the protests, a curfew was imposed in the country while Rajapaksa and his family were reportedly flown in a helicopter to the naval base.
On May 16, Ranil Wickremesinghe had taken oath as new Prime Minister. Wickremesinghe (73) had assumed charge as 26th prime minister of the island country after resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa a few days ago.
Moments after swearing in ceremony, the PM had said that he wanted to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economy and to end political instability. “My focus will be to settle this problem to ensure the supply of petrol, diesel and electricity to the people,” the PM had said.
