Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns as protest intensify

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned as protests against the govt intensified.

Sri Lankan media had reported on Friday that President Gotabaya Rajapaksha had asked the prime minister to resign in a special meeting as a solution for the ongoing crisis

Sri Lankan authorities on Monday imposed a nationwide curfew and Army troops were deployed in the capital after pro-government groups attacked protesters outside embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office, leaving at least 78 people injured.

Sri Lanka is currently in the throes of unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.

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Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9 seeking resignation of President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda, as the government ran out of money for vital imports; prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed and there are acute shortages in fuel, medicines and electricity supply.