A few days ago, we reported that the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa had decided to resign his post. Now, it has been officially confirmed by the Speaker Mahindra Yapa Abeywardena. Gotabaya is in Singapore at present and had sent his resignation letter by email yesterday.
But it is said by the Speaker’s office that its authenticity and legality had to be verified before it could be accepted. Gotabaya’s resignation makes way for a new president, to be elected through Parliament. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed acting president.
The Parliament must convene within three days after the President’s resignation, schedule nominations, and subsequently elect a new President through secret ballot.
Colombo legislator and Tamil Progressive Alliance Leader Mano Ganesan said the Speaker must immediately act on the President’s letter and set off the constitutional process to elect a new president.