The ruling coalition has lost its majority after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the coalition government with more than 40 MPs.
MPs from some parties in President Rajapaksa's Sri Lankan Padujana Peramuna party-led alliance have said they will now take a separate position in parliament.This could make it difficult for President Rajapaksa's government to operate now. However, independent MPs can support the government if they want.
Meanwhile, new finance minister Ali Sabri stepped down in less than 24 hours.
The South Asian country is now reeling from power shortages and an energy crisis. Sri Lanka is in a crisis due to the weakening of the economy and declining foreign exchange reserves.
Mass protests are taking place every day in Sri Lanka demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa.It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. They have left the government alliance but have not yet expressed support for the opposition. However, as a result, the Prime Minister's authority in Parliament may be called into question.
Rajapaksa's cabinet has already resigned. However, President Rajapaksa and his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, have so far refused to resign.
Instead, the president called on all opposition parties to form a national unity government, with the opposition taking part in the cabinet. However, all opposition parties have rejected the proposal and are demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa."What the people want is the resignation of the president and his entire government," said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Balaweigaya party, the main opposition party in Sri Lanka.
Earlier on Tuesday, a newly appointed finance minister also announced that he was resigning. He announced his resignation less than 24 hours after agreeing to become finance minister.
Ali Sabri, a close ally of President Rajapaksa, said he would relinquish his post to someone from outside politics who might be "qualified to handle the situation."
Meanwhile, anti-government protests continue in major cities across the country.Demands for the president's resignation have intensified in recent days.
Protesters have even violated the curfew. The curfew was imposed from Friday to Sunday to quell the protests. Earlier, violent protests erupted outside the president's residence on Thursday.
The protests are being seen as a reflection of how much President Rajapaksa's popularity has plummeted. He came to power in the 2019 elections with a majority. He promised stability in the country and good governance.
Due to lack of foreign exchange, Sri Lanka is now unable to import its fuel and other products. It is considered to be Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.They do not have the foreign exchange that Sri Lanka needs to meet the cost of fuel imports.
"There is a shortage of basic necessities, especially fuel oil and cooking gas. Hospitals are on the verge of closing because there is no medicine there, "said Maithripala Sirisena, a former Sri Lankan president. He is the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, a party that has split from President Rajapaksa's alliance.
Mr Sirisena said: "Our party wants to stand up for the people in times of crisis.
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