The president’s and prime minister’s resignations were a victory for the protesters, who had long demanded the resignation of the government due to the country’s dire economic situation.
In Sri Lanka, which is struggling with an economic crisis, protesters had long been calling for the president’s resignation. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to flee from protesters who broke into his official residence as part of a large demonstration on Saturday.
Leaders of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary parties also demanded the resignation of the country’s prime minister and president on Saturday.
Speaker of the country’s parliament Mahinda Abeywardana finally said in a televised statement that Rajapaksa agreed to resign next week.
– In order for a peaceful change of power to be implemented, the president will relinquish his power on July 13, the speaker told Finnish time on Saturday evening.
More than a hundred of those injured in the protests that escalated on Saturday have been treated in hospital. On Sunday, more than 50 people were still hospitalized, one of whom is in critical condition due to a gunshot wound.
The presidential swimming pool was suitable for citizens
Even on Sunday, the official residence of the president has been full of citizens who have settled into the house.
People used the well-equipped gym, splashed in the pool and examined the president’s valuables. Children played the piano and families had picnics in the yard.
According to the AFP news agency, the protesters do not agree to leave the president’s house until his resignation takes effect.
– Our struggle is not over. We won’t stop until he actually leaves, said the student activist Lahiru Weerasekara.
The goal is a coalition government of all parties
Also the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday that he would resign from his position so that a new coalition government of all parties could be formed in the country.
Just a few hours after the Prime Minister announced his resignation, the police and the Prime Minister’s Office said that the protesters also broke into the Prime Minister’s apartment and set it on fire.
According to the police, the departing prime minister was not at his apartment at the time.
There is still no clarity on the president’s successor
Rajapaksa’s successor must be elected by parliamentary vote within one month of the president’s resignation. The Speaker of the Parliament has promised that a successor will be found within a week.
For now, however, it is unclear who could gain enough support among lawmakers to succeed Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka’s recession is the worst since the country gained independence from Britain in 1948. Struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis, the country has already suffered for months from power outages, inflation and critical food and gasoline shortages.