New Delhi: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday resigned from his post amid a severe economic crisis and emergency in the country. This information has been received by the Sri Lankan media. A few days ago, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a special meeting on Friday requested the prime minister to step down as a solution to the ongoing political crisis in the country, Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror reported. After which Rajapaksa has taken this step, bowing to his demand.
Earlier, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Monday that he was ready to make “any sacrifice” for the sake of the people. His statement gave rise to speculations that he might resign.
According to the information received, army personnel have been deployed in the capital Colombo after his (Mahinda Rajapaksa) supporters attacked the protesters outside the office of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the resignation of the PM. At least 78 people were injured in this attack. Sri Lankan authorities imposed a nationwide curfew on Monday. At least two cabinet ministers have also announced their resignations.
Sri Lanka going through the worst economic crisis since 1948
Sri Lanka is going through the most severe economic crisis ever since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis arose mainly because of the shortage of foreign exchange which means that the country is unable to pay for the imports of staple food items and fuels. Thousands of protesters have been on the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9, as the government ran out of funds for imports. The prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing.
