Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has decided to resign from his portfolio with immediate effect, The Sunday Morning learnt.

Samaraweera has sent his resignation letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, copying it to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, informed sources told The Sunday Morning.

Earlier in the day, New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa announced his decision to resign from the post of Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP).