Colombo: Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa may offer to stand down as the prime minister today, political sources said, as pressure mounts on the embattled government led by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form an interim administration to overcome the worst economic crisis facing the country.
Rajapaksa, under intense pressure from within his own Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ranks to resign was gathering his supporters to apply counterpressure not to stand down.
His younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, though wanting his resignation had not directly conveyed his wish. The President wants his resignation enabling him to go for a government of national unity, an interim arrangement till the present economic crisis could be dealt with, sources said.
He may not offer direct resignation,’ Dayasiri Jayasekera, a ruling coalition dissident said.
What I feel is he would say I have no responsibility for the present crisis, so no reasons for me to resign, Jayasekera said, adding that he would put the ball on Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s court as if to say sack me if you want.