Tag : resignation

Colombo: Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday said he is ready to make "any sacrifice" for the people amidst reports that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister may offer to stand down, as pressure mounts on the embattled government led by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form an interim administration to overcome the worst economic crisis facing the country. Rajapaksa, 76, under intense pressure from within his own Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna ranks to resign, was gathering his supporters to apply counterpressure not to stand down. His younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, though wanting his resignation had not directly conveyed his wish. The President wants his resignation enabling him to go for a government of national unity, an interim arrangement till the present economic crisis could be dealt with, sources said. "I am ready to make any sacrifice for the people," Lanka First, a leading news network in the country, quoted Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as telling his supporters, indicating his intent to step down. Mahinda Rajapaksa made these remarks on Monday during an event at Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister, as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party's members gathered at his official residence to urge him not to step down. “He may not offer direct resignation," Dayasiri Jayasekera, a ruling coalition dissident. “What I feel is he would say I have no responsibility for the present crisis, so no reasons for me to resign," Jayasekera said, adding that he would put the ball on Gotabaya Rajapaksa's court as if to say sack me if you want. Despite mounting pressure, Gotabaya, 72, and Prime Minister Mahinda have refused to quit office. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Rajapaksa clan strongman, faced pu ...