The resignation comes hours after fresh clashes in Colombo amid the country\u2019s worst economic crisis
\n COLOMBO
\nSri Lanka\u2019s prime minister resigned on Monday, hours after clashes with pro- and anti-government demonstrators in the commercial capital Colombo amid the country\u2019s worst economic crisis that has spurred protests by thousands.
\nDuring weeks of unprecedented demonstrations, protesters across the island nation of 22 million people have demanded that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, quit for mishandling the economy.
\nIn a statement, the prime minister\u2019s office said the 76-year-old veteran politician had resigned. \u201cA few moments ago, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,\u201d the statement said. In the letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, the prime minister said he was quitting to help form an interim, unity government.
\n\u201cMultiple stakeholders have indicated the best solution to the present crisis is the formation of an interim all-party government,\u201d the letter said.
\n\u201cTherefore, I have tendered my resignation so the next steps can be taken in accordance with the Constitution.\u201d
\nHis departure came during a day of chaos and violence which culminated in police imposing a curfew across the country. The confrontation began with hundreds of ruling party supporters rallying outside the prime minister\u2019s official residence before marching to an anti-government protest site outside the presidential office.
\nPolice had formed a line ahead of time on the main road leading towards the site but did little to stop pro-government protesters from advancing, according to a Reuters witness.
\nPro-government supporters, some armed with iron bars, attacked anti-government demonstrators at the \u201cGota Go Gama\u201d tent village that sprang up last month and became the focal point of nationwide protests.
\nPolice used tear gas rounds and water cannon to break up the confrontation, the first major clash between pro-and anti-government supporters since the protests began in late March.
\nAt least nine people were taken to Colombo\u2019s National Hospital for treatment relating to injuries or tear-gas inhalation, a hospital official said, declining to be named.
\n\u201cThis is a peaceful protest,\u201d Pasindu Senanayaka, an anti-government protestor told Reuters. \u201cThey attacked Gota Go Gama and set fire to our tents.\u201d
\n\u201cWe are helpless now, we are begging for help,\u201d Senanayaka said, as black smoke spiralled out of a burning tent nearby and parts of the protest camp lay in disarray.
\nDozens of paramilitary troops with riot shields and helmets were deployed to keep both groups apart after the initial clashes. The army said it had also deployed soldiers in the area.
\n\u201cStrongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating, irrespective of political allegiances,\u201d President Rajapaksa said in a tweet. \u201cViolence won\u2019t solve the current problems.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The resignation comes hours after fresh clashes in Colombo amid the country\u2019s worst economic crisis COLOMBO Sri Lanka\u2019s prime minister resigned on Monday, hours after clashes with pro- and anti-government demonstrators in the commercial capital Colombo amid the country\u2019s worst economic crisis that has spurred protests by thousands. During weeks of unprecedented demonstrations, protesters across […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":259617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[7018,7019,793],"class_list":{"0":"post-259581","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"tag-curfew-imposed","9":"tag-pm-resigns","10":"tag-sri-lanka"},"yoast_head":"\n