The official resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was announced today by the Speaker of Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
The Speaker announced to the media that he has received the President’s official resignation letter dated July 14, 2022.
The Speaker added that, per the constitution, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will serve as interim president until a new President is appointed.
He stated that he intends to convene Parliament on July 16, 2022, to initiate the parliamentary process for the selection of a new president.
In addition, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated that he intends to complete the parliamentary process regarding the election of a new president within the next week.
“I intend to expeditiously conduct the necessary parliamentary proceedings to elect a new President in accordance with the Constitution. I am requesting that all party leaders lend their support to this initiative,” he said.
In addition, the Speaker urged all political parties and the legislature to uphold democracy during this period.
