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Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to resign to pave the way for an all-party government, the prime minister's office confirmed on Saturday.

"Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told the Party Leaders that he is willing to resign as Prime Minister and make way for an all-Party Government to take over," the prime minister's office said in a statement.

"He says he is taking this decision in view of the fact that island-wide fuel distribution is due to recommence this week, the World Food Program Director is due to visit the country this week and the Debt Sustainability report for the IMF is due to be finalized shortly," the statement indicated.

Wickremesinghe has agreed with the recommendation to resign of the opposition party leaders to ensure the safety of citizens, the statement added.

Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker assigned Interim PM

Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has been assigned to become the country's interim prime minister by the political party leaders at an emergency meeting called for the resignation of the incumbent prime minister and president, leader of Sri Lanka Congress party Rauff Hakeem said on Saturday. 
 
"At Speaker’s Residence urgent Party Leader’s meeting. Several other Leaders including PM, AKD and Sumanthiran participated via zoom. Decision to ask both President and PM to resign. Speaker to take over as temporary President according to constitution," Hakeem said on Twitter.

At Speaker’s Residence urgent Party Leader’s meeting. Several other Leaders including PM, AKD and Sumanthiran participated via zoom. Decision to ask both President and PM to resign. Speaker to take over as temporary President according to constitution. pic.twitter.com/RyauaIvCei

— Rauff Hakeem (@Rauff_Hakeem) July 9, 2022

Later, Hakeem said that Abeywardana has called on the country's president and prime minister to step down according to an overwhelming request from the political parties. 
 
"Correction to my earlier tweet on consensus to ask PM and President to resign. No consensus as PM disagrees. Speaker however decided to write to President and PM to resign as per overwhelming request," he tweeted. 
 
Earlier in the day, Colombo was rocked by thousand-strong protests. Crowds tore through the barricades surrounding the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, climbed over the fence, and took control of the area, Sri Lankan media said, publishing multiple videos from the scene. Rajapaksa is reported to have been evacuated.