Mass resignations in Sri Lanka, all in cabinet resigns; Mahinda Rajapakse to continue as PM

COLOMBO: All ministers in the Mahinda Rajapaksa government have resigned in Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa will continue as the Prime Minister. The decision was taken at an emergency cabinet meeting. Education minister and leader of house parliament Dinesh Gunawardena told reporters that all 26 ministers had handed over their resignations to the Prime Minister.

Among those who resigned is the Prime Minister's son Namal Rajapaksa. Namal tweeted that he is resigning from all posts to find a solution to the present problems. The Prime Minister will soon meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to brief him on the situation.

There were speculations yesterday that Mahinda Rajapaksa had resigned. Sri Lankan media reported that the Prime Minister has tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The PM's office later denied the allegations of resignation.

Sri Lanka is facing severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials. The energy crisis in the country is also severe. A state of emergency was declared in the country around midnight on Friday in the wake of the financial crisis and protests. The army and police are stationed across the country.