• PM’s office says no resignation plans even though there were calls for him to step down at Cabinet meeting
• President agreed with ministers who said PM must step down to enable fresh appointment to post
• Cabinet meeting was summoned to discuss current situation in country

An emergency Cabinet meeting called by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ended last night amidst conflicting reports of the imminent resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Soon after news broke that the President had asked the Prime Minister to resign, a spokesman for the PMs office denied the claim.

However political sources said last evening that the President had been in agreement with several ministers who spoke at the Cabinet meeting, where they had said there is no alternative but for the Prime Minister to step down so as to pave the way for the appointment of a new Prime Minister.

The President summoned the emergency Cabinet meeting last evening to discuss the growing unrest in the country in the face of a worsening economic situation.

Several ministers who voiced their opinion said that the resignation of the Prime Minister would help to pacify the protesters and is the only available option.

A few ministers had spoken in support of the Prime Minister, saying that he alone should not be asked to take responsibility for the ongoing situation but the President had intervened to say that this was the only available course of action.

The Prime Minister had initially refused to resign but had relented later saying he is willing to sit in Opposition.

However, by last night his office denied he has any plans to step down yet.

Siyambalapitiya resigns day after being elected Dep. Speaker

Eran calls for referendum to decide future of Executive Presidency