COLOMBO: Chief Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando has told parliament that Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign no matter what happens. Gotabaya Rajapaksa has failed to deal with the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka and hence the people across the country are agitating for the resignation of the President.

"As a responsible government, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign under any circumstances," Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Fernando said that the President will not resign as he was elected to office, reported Colombo Gazette.

Meanwhile, the Government also defended the President's decision to enforce a State of Emergency and later revoke it.

Sri Lanka still faces severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials. The energy crisis in the country is also severe. The state of emergency was declared in the country around midnight on Friday in the wake of the financial crisis and protests. The state of emergency was lifted on Tuesday night.