Sri Lanka’s disputed prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned, saying he wants to end a political impasse over his appointment.
By Associated Press Reporters
December 15 2018 8:07 AM
Sri Lanka’s disputed prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned, saying he wants to end a political impasse over his appointment.
Mr Rajapaksa signed his letter of resignation at his residence in Colombo on Saturday, flanked by members of his party and blessed by Buddhist and other religious leaders in the presence of the media.
It was not immediately clear if the letter had been handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena.
Mr Rajapaksa was expected to deliver an address to the nation later on Saturday in which he was expected to explain his resignation.
Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, a politician close to Mr Rajapaksa, told reporters on Friday that he had decided to step down to end a crisis that began in October when Mr Sirisena sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Mr Rajapaksa in his place.
