Sri Lankan cabinet resigns as economic crisis sparks more protests

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All 24 ministers of Sri Lanka's cabinet have resigned from their posts on Sunday, while the President and his brother the Prime Minister stayed on, amid protests and clashes in the capital, Colombo.

As anger mounted in the South Asian nation, Sri Lanka instituted a social media blackout and curfew in order to quell protests, but people kept protesting, and authorities yesterday arrested 644 people who violated the curfew. 

Sri Lanka has been facing a severe shortage of fuel, paper, food, as well as record inflation rates.

The ministers submitted their resignations at a late-night meeting, clearing the way for the President to appoint a new cabinet on Monday. Some of those that resigned may be reappointed.

Sri Lankan authorities arrested nearly 650 people over curfew violations overnight Sunday.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared Saturday a nationwide state of public emergency in light of protests over the country's worst economic crisis since its independence, which has paralyzed Colombo's ability to provide the citizens with electricity and even hit the healthcare sector really hard.

The Colombo Gazette reported that the police arrested 644 people in Western Province during the night for violating the curfew imposed by the government over fears of a coup and the ousting of President Rajapaksa. Protestors had called for his resignation during their demonstrations as they face shortages and soaring inflation.

Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor resigns

In the same context, the governor of Sri Lanka's central bank governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said on Monday that he submitted his resignation after the resignation of the cabinet's ministers.

Cabraal announced his resignation on Twitter.

In the context of all Cabinet Ministers resigning, I have today submitted my resignation as Governor, @CBSL to HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. @GotabayaR #SriLanka #GoSL

— Ajith Nivard Cabraal (@an_cabraal) April 4, 2022