Colombo: Amid mounting pressure from protesters, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has officially informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that he is resigning from his post.
Rajapaksa has informed that he will be resigning as previously announced, the Prime Minister’s media unit said, according to Colombo Gazette.
TOP UPDATES
- Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday resigned as Prime Minister, while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will resign on 13th July.
- Ranil Wickremesinghe tendered his resignation from the position of Prime Minister of Sri Lanka amid protests over the economic crisis.
- Ranil Wickremesinghe’s resignation will make way for an all-party government.
- In a tweet he said “To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government.”
- Earlier on Saturday, angry protesters broke into the private residence of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and set it on fire.
- According to reports, several protesters were injured during the clash with police.
- Earlier, several gunshots were heard being fired in the air and police unsuccessfully used tear gas to ward off protestors who surrounded the presidential residence.
- The worsening economic situation in the country has led to increasing tensions and over the last few weeks there were reports of several confrontations between individuals and members of the police force and the armed forces at fuel stations where thousands of desperate members of the public have queued for hours and sometimes days.
- Police have used tear gas and water cannon at times in an unnecessary and disproportionate manner. On occasions, armed forces have also fired live ammunition.