Sri Lanka PM resigns

SRI Lanka’s disputed prime minister resigned yesterday, saying he wanted to end a long political impasse over his appointment and allow the president to form a new government.

Mahinda Rajapaksa signed a letter of resignation at his residence in Colombo, flanked by members of his party and blessed by Buddhist and other religious leaders in the presence of the media.

It was not immediately clear if the letter had been handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena.

Mr Rajapaksa was to deliver an address to the nation later in which he was expected to explain his resignation.