Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa s announcement to resign came soon after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would leave office. Pressure on both leaders grew as the economic meltdown set off acute shortages of essential items, leaving people struggling to buy food, fuel and other necessities.
Sri Lanka s prime minister said late last month that the island nation s debt-laden economy had “collapsed” as it runs out of money to pay for food and fuel.
Another meeting of the leaders of nine parties, including the National Freedom Front, was planned for Sunday to discuss the emerging political situation.
Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday announced that he will resign after angry protesters stormed his official residence and set Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe s private residence on fire.