Sri Lanka’s prime minister quits in attempt to end crisis

SRI LANKA’S prime minister announced yesterday that he would step aside, paving the way for his sacked predecessor to regain the position and end a political impasse that has paralysed the government and threatened civil unrest for the past seven weeks.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation signals the end of turmoil that began in October when President Maithripala Sirisena triggered a constitutional crisis by abruptly sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointing Mr Rajapaksa as his replacement.

The country was facing the threat of a government shutdown with doubts surrounding its ability to repay $1.5 billion (£.19bn) due to bond holders by Jan 10 without an effective administration in place.

Mr Rajapaksa held a multi-religious service at his home where he signed a letter stepping down from the post of prime minister. The 73-year-old former president vowed to make a comeback at local council elections. “We will bring the forces opposed to the country down to their knees by organising the people,” he said. His aides said he was returning a fleet of limousines he had used since his disputed appointment.

Mr Wickremesinghe refused to step down when removed as prime minister, insisting that his sacking was illegal, leaving the Indian Ocean nation of 21 million people with two men claiming the premiership.

Mr Rajapaksa was then defeated in a no-confidence motion on Nov 14. The following day, the Speaker ruled that he would recognise neither man as prime minister, leaving Sri Lanka effectively without a government.

The country was left heading for a government shutdown as parliament failed to approve spending for 2019 and credit rating agencies downgraded its debt amid fears of a sovereign default.

Mr Rajapaksa’s son Namal announced that his father was throwing in the towel “to ensure stability”.