Sri Lanka’s PM resigns after violence erupts in streets
SRI Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his resignation on Monday, paving the way for the appointment of an interim government, according to officials.
Rajapaksa submitted his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is also his brother, soon after a string of violent incidents were reported between government supporters and protesters.
The violence broke out in the capital city of Colombo when government supporters clashed with protesters who were calling for the resignation of the government, police said.
At least 130 people were injured and more than 20 vehicles damaged in clashes that have broken out despite a country-wide curfew.
More than 1,000 supporters of the ruling Sri Lanka People’s Party broke into a protest camp outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office. Armed with clubs, they burnt down the tents used by the protesters on Monday afternoon.
Police used tear gas and water canons to disperse the ruling party’s supporters.
In turn, anti-government protesters attacked buses carrying government supporters that were leaving the capital after a meeting with the prime minister.
The government deployed a large number of troops in the capital to prevent further clashes, after the curfew was
widely ignored with protesters continuing to take to the streets.
Protests demanding that the president and prime minister step down have been going on for the last month in Sri Lanka as the country faces fuel, medicine and gas shortages, amid a steep rise in living costs.
Sri Lanka has run short of the dollars required for the import of fuel, gas, medicine and essential food items.
With the resignation of the prime minister, the cabinet will also dissolve. Under the constitutional provisions the president can invite a political party with a majority in parliament to name a new prime minister and appoint a government.
A minimum of 113 members of parliament is required to hold a majority in the 225 seat parliament. Until a new government is formed the president holds control of the ministry positions.