Sri Lanka economic crisis: Sri Lanka is struggling to deal with a dire economic crisis, hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced his resignation on Sunday, hours after several angry protesters crowded his official residence, prompting him to flee to an undisclosed location. was forced to Rajapaksa has informed that he will resign from the presidency on July 13, President Mahinda Yapa Abhayawardene announced at a press conference on Saturday.
His resignation was announced soon after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would step down. The pressure on both leaders increased as the economic slowdown led to acute shortages of essential commodities, forcing people to struggle to buy food, fuel and other necessities.
What happens after Rajapaksa resigns?
With the announcement of Rajapaksa’s resignation, the Sri Lankan Parliament must select one of its members as the President. The new appointment is to be made within one month of the resignation of the President.
According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the current Prime Minister will become the acting President. Therefore, after Rajapaksa resigns, Ranil Wickremesinghe will take over as acting president, until the presidency is filled again.
Read also: Did Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa flee the country in a naval ship? Here’s what the video evidence shows
Protesters stormed Rajapaksa’s residence, broke barricades
Protests by thousands rocked Colombo yesterday. The mob broke the barricades around Rajapaksa’s residence, climbed the fence and took over the area.
Dramatic scenes outside Rajapaksa’s residence showed a sea of protesters entering the compound, breaking police-imposed security cordons, taking a dip in the swimming pool and roaming his kitchen and home.
Read also: Protesters set fire to the private residence of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in Colombo