Morning Digest | Hundreds march to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house; Jaishankar sees ‘campaign’ against India for buying Russian oil, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day

Jaishankar sees ‘campaign’ against India for buying Russian oil

Criticising what he called a “campaign” against India for buying Russian oil at discounts in the past few weeks, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said the European countries remained the biggest buyers of oil and gas from Russia despite announcements that they would cut down. Speaking at an event organised by the Ministry of External Affairs’ think tank, Indian Council for World Affairs, where he held a discussion with visiting U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Mr. Jaishankar said it was “natural for countries to go out in the market and look for good deals” when oil prices go up, as they had in the past month since Russia’s war in Ukraine and the U.S.,U.K. and EU sanctions were placed on Russia.

As Sri Lanka crisis worsens, hundreds march to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house

Hundreds of angry protestors gathered outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence in Colombo late on Thursday night, after the island experienced a 13-hour-long power cut amid Sri Lanka’s worsening economic meltdown. Riot police were swiftly deployed to the spot. They used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, but those agitating endured at the spot, chanting “Gota go home” in Sinhala. Many were holding posters with anti-government slogans, and demanded that the government step out immediately, having “mishandled” the country’s economy.

Will not resign, ready for no-trust vote, says Imran Khan

A defiant Imran Khan on Thursday indicated that he will not resign from the post of Pakistan’s prime minister despite losing the majority in the National Assembly and insisted that he will face the vote of no-confidence which would take place on Sunday. In a live-address to the nation, 69-year-old Mr. Khan also discussed a ‘threat letter’ that purportedly showed “evidence” of a foreign conspiracy to topple his coalition government. He named the U.S. as the country behind the threat in what appeared to be a slip of tongue.

Punjab Assembly to have special, one-day session today