IN THE MIDST OF ECONOMIC CRISIS, SRI LANKA'S PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

  • 09/05/2022

Officials say Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned after widespread protests against the government's handling of the economic crisis.

After violent skirmishes between Rajapaksa loyalists and anti-government protestors in Colombo, the island was placed under curfew.

According to a local hospital, at least 78 people have been hurt in the capital's unrest. Since last month, there have been protests over rising costs and power outages.

The island nation is in the midst of its biggest economic crisis since its 1948 independence from the United Kingdom. The government has asked financial assistance in an emergency situation. 

Mr Rajapaksa, 76, sent his resignation letter to his younger brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, saying he hoped it would help resolve the crisis, but the move is highly unlikely to satisfy government opponents while the latter remains in power.

Since demonstrations erupted in early April, protesters have been camped outside President Rajapaksa's office, demanding he quit.

Earlier in the day police were deployed following violence outside the prime minister and president's offices in Colombo.

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