COLOMBO, Apr 4 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet ministers offered to resign from their positions last night, in response to calls from increasing protests amid economic instability and a severe fuel shortage in the country.
Government officials confirmed to Xinhua that, all cabinet ministers have handed in their resignation letters, paving the way for all political parties to form a new cabinet, following discussions held with Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, last night.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa and the state ministers will however continue to work in their capacities, officials said.
The prime minister is expected to issue a special statement to the nation today, and an invitation will be extended to political parties for joint efforts to form a new government.
Sri Lanka has for days seen protests urging the government to take measures immediately, to solve hours-long power cut and fuel shortage or to resign.
The country has also suffered a shortage in essential supplies, such as food and medicines, and in foreign currencies, with several sectors being affected as a result.
A 36-hour curfew came into force on Saturday evening and was lifted early today, in a bid to ensure law and order in the country, police said.– NNN-XINHUA
