MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO: The outgoing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said here on Saturday that he was stepping down respecting the consensus of the people and the wishes of thes party leaders but he would continue to serve Sri Lanka in the future too.
This was stated in the letter of resignation read out by the Secretary of the Parliament, Dhammika Dassanayake on Saturday in the parliament on July 16.
“ I was born in Sri Lanka, this is my motherland and I will continue to serve my country in the future too,” Rajapaksa said.
The former President, addressing the Speaker of the Parliament, stated that no less than three months into his Presidency, he had to face the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the existing economic crisis.
The former President had stated that it was a pleasure to state that he was able to protect the citizens of this nation against the pandemic. Additionally, due to the closure of the country during the years 2020 and 2021 caused for further economic downturn, in addition for the depletion of foreign exchange reserves.
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that he took every effort to establish an all-party Government to alleviate the instability caused in the country, and mentioned that he believed that the best possible steps were taken at the time to curb this crisis.
Therefore, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he resigned in accordance with the letter submitted to him by the Speaker of the Parliament with regard to public consensus, and in accordance with the consensus of all Party Leaders.
He emphasized that he served the country in his best possible manner and will continue to serve the country even after his resignation.
