New Delhi: Controversial Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena in a widely criticised move, resigned on Saturday. He informed the UPFA legislators that he has resigned from the post, MP Shehan Semasinghe told reporters.
Rajapaksa was appointed single-handedly by Sirisena in a controversial move on October 26 as he sacked incumbent Prime Minister Wickremsinghe plunging a country in a constitutional crisis.
The apex court of the country on Friday declared that the dissolution of Parliament by Sirisena was "illegal" and refused to stay a court order restraining Rajapaksa, 73, from holding the office of Prime Minister until it fully heard the case next month.
Rajapaksa, in a meeting with President Sirisena on Friday decided to resign and allow the President to appoint a new government; after which President Maithripala Sirisena has reportedly agreed to reinstate ousted Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in the post.
He reportedly had a discussion with Wikcremsinghe over the phone on Friday.
Wickremesinghe is expected to take oath as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister on Sunday.
Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka's PM, Wickremsinghe reinstated
ABP News Bureau
Updated at:
15 Dec 2018 12:55 PM (IST)
Rajapaksa was appointed single-handedly by Sirisena in a controversial move on October 26 as he sacked incumbent Prime Minister Wickremsinghe plunging a country in a constitutional crisis.
Sri Lanka's former president and newly appointed prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse (L) speaks with President Maithripala Sirisena at a rally in Colombo on November 5, 2018. - Thousands of supporters of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse headed for the capital on November 5 to rally in support of his controversial nomination as prime minister, as the island's constitutional crisis deepened. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP)
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