Every member of the Cabinet of Ministers of the present government has tendered their letters of resignation to Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, following days’ continuity of anti-government protests triggered by the economic meltdown befallen the Sri Lanka.

The Cabinet has held a discussion with the Prime Minister at Temple Trees a while ago and it was concluded that the letters of resignation be handed over to the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, a special discussion is due to be held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tomorrow (04) as well.

In the wake of the economic meltdown, a strong opposition is raising from every direction, only to be intensified due to the government’s move of imposing an islandwide curfew.

In the backdrop, Premier Rajapaksa has agreed to form an interim caretaker government with the membership of all parties representing Parliament to quell the protests. Early reports claimed that Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudewa Nanayakkara and Tiran Alles had met with the Prime Minister to discuss the matter.

MIAP

MPs and Ministers have decided not to attend any ceremony, function or rally amid the growing anti-government protests across the country.

None of the Ministers and MPs have reportedly attended the Aluth Sahal Festival held in Anuradhapura. The event was scheduled to be held under the patronage of the Secretary to the State Ministry of Agriculture, the Commission of Agriculture Development and other government officials together with MPs and Ministers, but no politician has attended the event, correspondents revealed.

Meanwhile, an event distributing land deeds was organised in Suriyawewa yesterday (02) under the patronage of Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, but the Minister did not appear for the event. Rajapaksa, who had stated that he would attend the event covering the whole event, due to which security was also tightened in the area, did not attend.

The land deed distribution event organised on April 01 under the patronage of State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was held without his attendance and Badulla District Ruling Party MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake attended the event in replacement. However, MP Dassanayake too had to leave the event under heavy Police security due to the strong protests raised by the public.

MIAP

The International Community has expressed its grave concern over the state of emergency imposed in Sri Lanka and the alleged suppression committed behind it.

The European Union said in a tweet that it is concerned by the situation, strongly urging Sri Lankan authorities to safeguard democratic rights of all citizens, including right to free assembly and dissent, which has to be peaceful.

Several other countries, including the United States have also expressed their concern over the situation in Sri Lanka.

MIAP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been summoned to appear before the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) on April 05, in connection with the probe into the assault on protestors during the unrest in Mirihana.

The assault has strongly been condemned by Rohini Marasinghe, former Supreme Court Justice and the current Chairperson of the HRCSL.

The Commission today (03) concluded that police assaults during agitations be investigated and accordingly, it has been decided to conduct a probe into an assault that took place during a protest in Anuradhapura.

A senior Superintendent of Police has also been summoned to the HRCSL on Tuesday on suspicion of involvement in the assault.

MIAP

News reports on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigning from his post are completely untrue, said Rohan Weliwita, the Prime Minister’s Media Secretary.

He further added that the Prime Minister Rajapaksa has not taken any decision to step down at all.

MIAP

Anti-government protests are growing in many parts of the country despite island wide curfew.

MIAP

The Cabinet of Ministers led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly decided to resign.

Accordingly, the Prime Minister has already drafted his letter of resignation, sources said.

Following the proposal to form an interim caretaker government with all parties representing Parliament, the Prime Minister has agreed to form a caretaker government, at a meeting held with Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudewa Nanayakkara and Tiran Alles today.

Anti-government protests are being carried out since this morning, despite a curfew being imposed islandwide.