Mahinda Rajapaksa steps down as Sri Lankan Prime Minister amid economic crisis

Taking to twitter, Mahinda wrote, “Effective immediately I have tendered my resignation as Prime Minister to the President.” In his resignation letter, Mahinda said “I write to inform (you) that I have decided to resign from the post of prime minister with immediate effect. This is in line with your request made at the special cabinet meeting held on May 6, wherein you said that you intend to set up an all party interim government.”

He said that he will be “ready to make any sacrifice even in the future in order to help the people and the government overcome the present crisis.”

Apart from the PM, at least two Cabinet ministers have also resigned, PTI reported.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, leading the embattled government in the crisis-hit country, wanted Mahinda’s resignation to form an interim administration to solve the present political impasse.

The President agreed to replace his older brother as the prime minister and maintained that a national council would be appointed to name a new prime minister and Cabinet comprising all parties in the Parliament, lawmaker Maithripala Sirisena had said after meeting with the president last month.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, was under pressure from within his own Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ranks to resign. However, he was gathering his supporters to apply counter-pressure not to stand down.

Ruling party MP killed amid clashes

Amid clashes between Sri Lankas’s ruling party and anti-government protesters a senior MP has died, news agency AFP reported quoting police officials. MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala opened fire and critically injured two people who were trying to block his car. Later, Athukorala was found dead trying to escape and take refuge in a nearby building.

Sri Lanka is witnessing an unprecedented economic turmoil with its government running out of money for essential imports like staple foods and fuel. Protesting against the government, thousands of people have taken to the streets across the nation since April 9 demanding resignation of both the President and the Prime Minister.