All smiles for Gotabaya Rajapaksa in parliament

Sri Lanka’s president was seen laughing in conversation with his newly appointed prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament this morning, shortly before lawmakers staged an impromptu protest demanding his resignation.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, an accused war criminal who has overseen Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis, is facing anti-government protests in the south of the island.

As he entered parliament this morning he shared a light-hearted conversation with Wickremesinghe, even as essential supplies ran short across the island plunging millions into poverty. Yet another death was reported in a fuel queue this morning, with thousands lining up in the hopes of securing petrol.

Opposition lawmakers protested inside the chambers, with some holding signs that read “Gota Go Home”. Parliament was subsequently adjourned for approximately 10 minutes.

Wickremesinghe went on to tell parliament that the country was “bankrupt” and that inflation could reach a high of 60% this year alone.

Read more in our piece: ‘Bankrupt’ Sri Lanka may reach inflation of 60% admits prime minister