Sri Lanka crisis live updates | Centre calls all-party meet on Sri Lanka crisis; External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to brief MPs

The Union government called for an all-party meeting over the Sri Lankan crisis on July 19 which will be addressed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

In depth | Sri Lanka crisis

With a severe shortage in foreign exchange reserves, Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades. Further, the shortage of reserves is hampering the import of essentials such as food, fuel and medicines. The acute economic crisis has also triggered a political crisis in the country and an uprising against the government. Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a state of emergency in the country.

Mr. Wickremesinghe became acting President after Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned last week after fleeing to Singapore.

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Here are the latest updates:

All-party meet on Sri Lanka crisis

The Union government called for an all-party meeting over the Sri Lankan crisis on July 19 which will be addressed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

During a meeting of all parties convened ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded that India should intervene in the crisis shrouding the neighbouring country.

After the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had said both Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief leaders of various political parties on the Sri Lankan crisis during an all-party meeting. It is not clear whether Ms. Sitharaman will address the meeting as she has tested Covid positive.