I tried my best to form an all-party Govt. which was key to resolve crisis: Gotabaya

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his resignation letter had said he tried his best to form an all-party Government which was critical to resolve the economic crisis.

Rajapaksa’s resignation letter was not made public but on Saturday, Parliament Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake read out its contents to the MPs. 

In the resignation letter dated 14 July, the Seventh Executive President Rajapaksa said in less than three months since assuming office on 18 November 2019, Sri Lanka had to face the COVID-19 and despite difficult economic conditions at that time, he was able to protect the people from the pandemic. To protect people from COVID, the country had to be shut down several times in 2020 and 2021 and the already struggling economy suffered further especially with foreign exchange.

“In order to find a solution to the resulting instability, I took every possible action to form an all-party or national Government by inviting leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament. I personally feel that the steps I took towards this end were the best that could have been taken,” Rajapaksa recalled. 

The letter also stated as per Article 38(1) (b) of the Constitution and in accordance with the appeal of the people and the request of the party leaders in Parliament Speaker had conveyed on 9 July, Rajapaksa decided to resign. 

He concluded his letter stating that he had served his motherland to the utmost of his ability and is committed to offer the country his fullest support in the future.