COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has resigned. Wickramasinghe tweeted that he resigned at the recommendation of party leaders. He tweeted that he is resigning to ensure the continuation of the government and for the safety of all citizens and also to make way for an All-party government.
To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) July 9, 2022
To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister.
Sri Lanka, which is facing an economic crisis, had a massive popular uprising today. President Gotabaya Rajapakse escaped after protesters seized the official residence of the President. Sri Lankan sportspersons including former cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya also joined the protestors. In many areas, the police are in support of the protesters.
Around thousands of protestors had stormed into Sri Lanka’s beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence. According to some regional media reports, the president has fled the country. However, there are some unconfirmed reports that the president is at the military headquarters.
The protesters have barged into the president’s bedroom and kitchen in his residence. A curfew has been declared in the country. According to reports, a total of 33 people, including a former minister, have sustained injuries amid the protests. Of which, two are in critical condition. Several other protesters have reportedly set off to Colombo via train. The protesters have completely seized the Kandy Railway Station. The army had ordered to stop the train, but the protesters refused to do so. The navy and air force have been directed to remain alert.