Sri Lanka’s disputed Prime Minister Rajapaksa resigns

Controversially appointed PM steps down to finally end the island’s political crisis

The move comes a day after the Supreme Court banned the former strongman president and his disputed cabinet from exercising powers of the offices they claimed

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Mahinda Rajapaksa participates in religious observances after signing his letter of resignation from the Prime Minister’s post at his official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: EPA

Published: 10:54pm, 15 Dec 2018Updated: 10:54pm, 15 Dec 2018

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was controversially appointed to the post in October, stepped down Saturday to end the island’s political crisis.

“Since I have no intention of remaining as prime minister without a general election being held, and in order to not hamper the president in any way, I will resign from the position of prime minister and make way for the president to form a new government,” Rajapaksa said in a statement.

The move comes a day after the Supreme Court banned Rajapaksa, a former strongman president, and his disputed cabinet from exercising powers of the offices they claimed since October 26.

On that day, President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Rajapaksa in his place.

With Rajapaksa unable to demonstrate a parliamentary majority, the president first suspended and then sacked parliament, and set a general election on January 5, two years ahead of schedule.

However, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the dissolution of Parliament last month was illegal and unconstitutional.