Archive List for Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena

Sri Lanka protesters staying put until president, PM leave office

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AlJazeeraEnglish

Protesters in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo continue to occupy the offices of the president and prime minister for a second consecutive day, vowing they will stay put until both officially have resigned. Determined to see the country’s top leaders step down amid an unprecedented economic crisis, thousands of people stormed the president’s residence on Saturday and later set fire to the prime minister’s house, forcing the two leaders into hiding. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he will leave office once a new government is in place, while Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 73, would step down as president on Wednesday. But protesters are refusing to […]

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down

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AlJazeeraEnglish

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has agreed to step down next week, an official said, after protesters stormed the presidential palace and set fire to the prime minister’s home to vent their anger over a worsening economic crisis. Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a televised statement on Saturday that Rajapaksa has agreed to resign on July 13. “The decision to step down on July 13 was taken to ensure a peaceful handover of power,” Abeywardena said. “I therefore request the public to respect the law and maintain peace.” The news of president’s decision triggered an eruption of celebratory fireworks in parts of the capital, Colombo. Al Jazeera’s Minelle […]