New Delhi: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned Monday, following weeks of protest against his government for the apparent mishandling of the country’s worst economic crisis since Independence.
The country has been rocked by civil unrest since March and many calls for the resignation of the Rajapaksa brothers — Prime Minister Mahinda and President Gotabaya – have gone unheeded.
As word leaked Monday that Rajapaksa would resign, violent clashes took place between loyalists and anti-government protesters in Colombo.
Supporters held a demonstration opposite Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister, urging him not to resign.
Loyalists then met Rajapaksa, following which they attacked anti-government protesters outside his home. Scores were injured and hospitalised in the clashes.
News agency AFP reported a legislator from the ruling party died Monday in clashes with anti-government protesters outside Colombo.
MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically wounded two people blocking his car in Nittambuwa, and was later found dead after trying to take refuge in a nearby building, AFP quoted officers as saying.
A nationwide curfew was imposed, shortly before Mahinda Rajapaksa made his decision public.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office, seen by Reuters, said: “A few moments ago, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.”
In the letter, the Prime Minister, 76, said, “Multiple stakeholders have indicated the best solution to the present crisis is the formation of an interim all-party government.”
“Therefore, I have tendered my resignation so the next steps can be taken in accordance with the Constitution.”
It is learnt that the President, in a special meeting on Friday, had requested the Prime Minister to quit as a “solution to the ongoing economic and political crisis in the country”.
The President is now expected to invite political parties in Parliament to form an all-party Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has said its leader Sajith Premadasa would not accept the PM’s post in an interim government.
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