All cabinet ministers resigned with immediate effect late last night. Speaking to reporters, Education Minister and Leader of the House, Dinesh Gunawardena said the Cabinet Ministers handed over their resignations to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. He did not give reason for the mass resignation.
Political experts says the ministers came under intense pressure from the public over the government’s alleged mishandling of the economic crisis, triggered by the shortage in the foreign exchange reserve. Wide spread public protests were seen yesterday evening despite the imposition of curfew.
The enraged public has been demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lankan police fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of university students during a protest in the central province. The protest was held despite the curfew.
The government declared a state of emergency after an angry mob surrounded the private residence of Rajapaksa on March 31.