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PM booed in Anuradhapura amidst resignation rumours

09 May 2022

  • To resign today as urged by President?
  • Godahewa says best technical solution is PM’s resignation
By Buddhika Samaraweera and Dinitha Rathnayake Amidst strong speculation that he is set to submit his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (8), Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was booed and hooted at by citizens at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura yesterday (8) morning during his visit to the sacred site. They demanded that Rajapaksa resign immediately, claiming that the service rendered to the country by him so far is adequate. “Save the country for us. That is all we ask from you. We look forward to hearing good news from you tomorrow morning. You have served the country, but now it is enough,” one person was seen saying to the Premier. When Rajapaksa was leaving the premises, the people who had gathered on both sides of the road leading to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi protested against him with placards. Videos of protesters hooting at Premier Rajapaksa at that time were also circulating on social media. They protested against Rajapaksa, chanting slogans such as “Do not come back”, “Did you come dressed”, “Uganda Appachchi”, and “Saatakayaa Ghaathakayaa”. Police and Special Task Force officers were also present at the scene. Meanwhile, Minister of Mass Media Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said that the best path and best technical solution to create a new Government is the resignation of Prime Minister Rajapaksa, as it will mark the dissolution of the Cabinet. Releasing a statement, he noted that this would be the only solution and the Prime Minister would take that decision today (9), or during the week. “The President is in discussion with the main opposition and the other parties to form a new Government and we would be able to know his decision soon,” he had stated. After the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President would be able to appoint a new Prime Minister, and this decision is yet to be taken. The decision of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would be important as they have the majority of the Parliament. “Clearly this is not an issue between the President and the Prime Minister, and we urge the public to support the system,” Godahewa added. Meanwhile, it was reported that at a special Cabinet meeting at the President’s House, headed by President Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa agreed to resign from his post as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Further, political sources reveal that Sri Lankan Cabinet Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, and Ramesh Pathirana have all agreed to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to resign as the Prime Minister of the country. However, contradicting the Cabinet Ministers, Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake had stated that Mahinda’s resignation would prove futile in dealing with the country’s crisis. Political sources also claimed that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to announce his resignation from his post in a special statement today (9) followed by a Cabinet reshuffle in the next week. Protests are now taking place across the country demanding the immediate resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Premier Rajapaksa, and the current Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government in the face of the current economic and political crisis in the country. Particularly, the public protest in front of Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister in Kollupitiya, demanding his resignation, marked its 12th day yesterday. The protest site is commonly referred to as “MynaGoGama”.


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