Reuters Sri Lanka president to resign on 13 July, Parliament leader 09/07/2022 15:04

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he would step down next Wednesday, after a day of violent protests where protesters stormed the official residence of the president and set fire to the prime minister’s home.

Speaker of the House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a video statement that Rajapaksa had informed her that she would resign.

“The decision to resign on July 13 was taken to ensure a peaceful transfer of power,” Abeywardena said. That’s why I want the people to respect the law and keep the peace,” he said.

The announcement comes after months of anti-government protests worsened dramatically due to the severe economic crisis Sri Lanka is going through.