AA / Ankara / Burak Bir
Sri Lanka’s investment promotion minister announced his resignation on Sunday amid political and economic chaos crippling the South Asian country.
The president and the prime minister agreed on Saturday to step down, and the resignation of Dhammika Perera adds to the political turmoil in the country.
Perera posted his resignation letter on Twitter, saying he had informed the president of his decision to step down “effective immediately.”
He said he accepted the role because of the current economic situation and his “great attachment to the country.”
Perera was named investment promotion minister on June 24.
Thousands of demonstrators stormed the official residence of the Sri Lankan president on Saturday and demanded his immediate resignation.
The Speaker of Parliament announced hours later that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would step down on July 13, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also expressed his willingness to step down following the formation of a multi-party government.
Paralyzed by a shortage of foreign currency, this island nation of 22 million people is in default on all of its foreign debt.
Amid a depreciating currency and high inflation, the country was unable to fund purchases of gasoline and other basic necessities, leading to anti-government protests.
Lack of fuel for power plants also led to constant power cuts. State employees have been asked to work from home, while schools are closed.
The government is currently negotiating a rescue plan with the International Monetary Fund.
*Translated from English by Mourad Belhaj
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