Sri Lankans await the fulfillment of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s pledge to resign after he fled major protests over the island’s deteriorating economic situation.
After crowds stormed his palace on Saturday, he retreated into hiding.
Mr. Rajapaksa declared on Wednesday that he would resign “to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.” His prime minister also announced his intention to resign.
Leaders of the protests are asking that both men resign from the government immediately, or face far larger rallies.
Sri Lankans blame the administration of Mr. Rajapaksa for their worst economic catastrophe in decades. They have endured regular power outages and shortages of essentials like fuel, food, and medicine for months.
The departure of the president threatens to create a power void in the nation, which needs a functioning government to begin reversing its economic decline.
Politicians from other parties have been discussing the formation of a new unity government, but there is no indication that they are close to reaching an agreement. It is also unclear whether the public would accept what they produce.
If the president resigns, the prime minister should assume his responsibilities under the constitution. The prime minister is the president’s representative in parliament.
However, the current prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, is equally unpopular. Saturday, protesters set fire to his private property – he and his family were not inside – and he announced he would retire to pave the way for a government of national unity, but provided no timeframe.
According to constitutional scholars, the next most likely candidate to serve as caretaker president is the speaker of the parliament. However, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is a Rajapaksa ally. Uncertain whether the public would recognize his authority.
Whoever becomes acting president has 30 days to arrange an election among members of parliament for a new president. The winner of this election might then continue Mr. Rajapaksa’s term until late 2024.
The Speaker relayed Mr. Rajapaksa’s announcement that he will resign on Wednesday. Since escaping Saturday’s demonstrations, the president has not spoken in public.
Mr. Rajapaksa, an authoritarian leader whose family has dominated the island for the majority of the last two decades, is currently unknown. According to defense sources, he was spirited away to safety during Saturday’s demonstrations.
Sajith Premadasa, the principal opposition leader, told that he would seek the presidency. However, he lacks public backing and the people have a great mistrust of politicians in general.
The protest movement that has taken Sri Lanka to the verge of change lacks a clear candidate for the country’s leadership.
