Sri Lanka’s disputed PM resigns amid crisis

International Desk: Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned as Sri Lanka's prime minister, seven weeks after he was appointed in a surprise move that sparked a political crisis.

Mr Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's former president, signed his resignation letter in a ceremony at his house.

His son Namal said that his father had quit to ensure national stability.

The resignation could bring to an end a nearly two-month-long power struggle that has dented confidence in Sri Lanka's stability.

In October, President Maithripala Sirisena sacked then prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, replacing him with Mr Rajapaksa.

Mr Wickremesinghe is expected to return to office on Sunday.

His party's spokesman Harin Fernando said, "The president has agreed to swear in Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister tomorrow (Sunday) at 10:00am (local time)."

He said this would end the political deadlock, remarking that the the country and its economy had suffered "huge damage" since the crisis began 50 days ago. _BBC
 

risingbd/Dhaka/December 15, 2018/AKA