Amidst public protest, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaska decides to resign on July 13

Gallery

MORE...

Sports

Hockey India names Amir Ali-led 20-man team for Junior Asia Cup

Hockey India on Monday announced the 20-member squad for the Men's Junior Asia Cup, a qual

Harmanpreet Singh named FIH Player of the Year, PR Sreejesh gets best goalkeeper award

World Boxing medallist Gaurav Bidhuri to flag off 'Delhi Against Drugs' movement on Nov 17

U23 World Wrestling Championship: Chirag Chikkara wins gold as India end campaign with nine medals

FIFA president Infantino confirms at least 9 African teams for the 2026 World Cup

Hockey, cricket, wrestling, badminton, squash axed from 2026 CWG in Glasgow

MORE...

Amidst public protest, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaska decides to resign on July 13

Last Updated : 10 Jul 2022 07:21:44 PM IST

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaska

After a months-long massive public agitation, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaska on Saturday informed the Speaker that he would resign from the Presidency on July 13.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced that President Rajapaksa had informed him about his decision to resign.

People set off fire-crackers as soon as the news broke.

Following a massive public march to Colombo on Saturday morning and forcible occupation of the President's House, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked the Speaker to summon the leaders of all political parties and decide on the way to resolve the crisis.

A majority of party leaders had decided to remove the President and the Prime Minister and appoint a temporary President and all-party government for a specific period until

a fresh election is held to form a government.

President Rajapaksa, who had not appeared publicly since Friday night, had announced he would agree any decision taken by the party leaders.

Following the all-party meeting, the Speaker had sent a letter to the President

and the Prime Minister, urging them to step down for a peaceful transfer of power.

Starting from March 31, when President Rajapaksa's private residence outside Colombo was surround by protesters who demand he step down amidst the growing financial crisis, protests continued throughout the island with one slogan "Gota go home".

On April 2, the protesters surrounded the President's office at Galle Face Green and blocked its entrance as they continued to demand that he step down.

With no fuel, the country was virtually locked down for two weeks from June 27 but people planned to come to Colombo to demand that the President step down.