Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Quits As Protests Intensify

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned on Monday, May 9, 2022, following weeks of protests against his government, Iqbal Athas reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: Mahinda Rajapaksa, now the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

The country has been rocked by civil unrest since March, with demonstrations turning violent as anger builds over the apparent mishandling of Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since declaring independence from Britain in 1948.

A nationwide curfew was imposed after clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling party and anti-government demonstrators in the capital city Colombo, police said Monday. The restrictions were announced before Rajapaksa announced his resignation.

Anti-government protesters attacked buses carrying local officials who traveled to Colombo on Monday morning to attend a meeting with the Prime Minister, according to the national police. At least 151 people were admitted to the hospital following violence at the protests, Colombo National Hospital said.

Armed troops have been deployed in Colombo, according to CNN's team on the ground. Hit hard by the pandemic, rising oil prices and tax cuts, Sri Lanka only has $50 million of foreign reserves, finance minister Ali Sabry said last week.

Government has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout and will begin a virtual summit on Monday with IMF officials aimed at securing emergency assistance.

Rajapaksa's office released a statement announcing the 76-year-old veteran politician's resignation, reported Reuters. "A few moments ago, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa," the statement said. In the letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, the prime minister said he was quitting to allow the formation of an interim, unity government.

"Multiple stakeholders have indicated the best solution to the present crisis is the formation of an interim all-party government," the letter said. "Therefore, I have tendered my resignation so the next steps can be taken in accordance with the Constitution."

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