MIRIHANA: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives at Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence after overnight clashes in Colombo.
Highlight
- Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers resigned with immediate effect on Sunday night.
- Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic crisis.
- Cabinet ministers submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis, during which the country’s cabinet of ministers resigned with immediate effect on Sunday night. However, despite speculation, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa will remain as he did not tender his resignation. Since Sunday evening, rumors were rife that Rajapaksa may opt for an interim government to deal with the economic crisis.
Speaking to reporters, Education Minister and Leader of the House, Dinesh Gunavardhan said that the cabinet ministers submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. He did not give any reason for the mass resignation.
Namal Rajapaksa, the eldest son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, tweeted after resigning as Minister of Youth and Sports: “I have informed the Secretary about my resignation from all departments with immediate effect, in the hope that this will be done by His Excellency And can help them. PM’s decision to establish stability for the people and the government of #LKA. I am committed to my voters, my party and the people of #Hambanathota (SIC).”
The country is also facing social media blackout, curfew and national emergency declared by PM Rajapaksa on Friday (March 31). A day later, angry mobs circled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence, a day after a state of emergency was declared.
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Political experts said the ministers who resigned were under heavy public pressure over the government’s alleged “mishandling” of the economic crisis due to dwindling foreign exchange reserves.
The evening saw widespread mass protests, despite the curfew ending on Monday morning. Angry people are demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
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