Sri Lanka prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced on Monday that he has resigned from the office.
“Effective immediately, I have tendered my resignation as Prime Minister to the President,” he tweeted.
"I am resigning with immediate effect so that you will be able to appoint an all-party government to guide the country out of the current economic crisis," the prime minister said in the letter, seen by AFP.
Mahinda Rajapaksa served two terms each as the prime minister and President of Sri Lanka.
The decision came on the day supporters of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa attacked anti-government demonstrators in Colombo. Consequently, leaving at least 78 people injured.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he strongly condemn the violent acts;
“Strongly condemn the violent acts taking place by those inciting & participating, irrespective of political allegiances. Violence won’t solve the current problems. I request all citizens to remain calm & exercise restraint. I urge everyone to work together in solving this crisis,” he tweeted.
While emotions are running high in #lka, I urge our general public to exercise restraint & remember that violence only begets violence. The economic crisis we're in needs an economic solution which this administration is committed to resolving.
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa).
Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis and is under a state of emergency for the second time this year.
Amid the economic crisis, the clashes resulted in a curfew.