News
Former President blames COVID-19 for worsening economic woes
View(s):- Says ready to offer the country his fullest support in the future
- Resignation letter read out to MPs by Parliament’s Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake
By Sandun Jayawardana
In his resignation letter dated July 14, 2022 that was read out to MPs yesterday by Parliament’s Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake, Mr Rajapaksa noted that the deadly pandemic swept the world and also affected Sri Lanka within three months of him taking office as the country’s 7th Executive President on November 18, 2019. “I am glad that I was able to protect the public from this pandemic even in the midst of the economic crisis prevailing in the country,” he added.
The government had to, however, lock down the country on several occasions in 2020 and 2021 to protect the people from the pandemic. These actions further exacerbated the economic crisis that had been growing for many years and also forced the government to face a drop in foreign remittances, he further claimed.
“In order to find a solution to the resulting instability, I took every possible action to form an all-party or national government by inviting leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament. I personally feel that the steps I took towards this end were the best that could have been taken.”
The letter informed the Speaker that the President was tendering his resignation as per Article 38(1) (b) of the Constitution and that he is “acting in accordance with the appeal of the people and the request of the party leaders in Parliament that you (Speaker) had conveyed to me through the letter dated July 9, 2022.” He urged the Speaker to take the next steps in accordance with the Constitution.
The former President concluded by stating that he had served his motherland to the utmost of his ability and continues to be ready to offer the country his fullest support in the future.
Parliament met for a special session yesterday where the Parliament’s Secretary General announced that a vacancy had occurred in the office of President with effect from July 14, 2022 after the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Secretary General also announced that the House would convene again on Tuesday, July 19, to receive nominations for the office of the President and a vote would be held on Wednesday, July 20.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!