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Sri Lanka’s disputed PM Rajapaksa resigns amid crisis (Lead)
Colombo, Dec 15 (IANS) Sri Lanka’s disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned on Saturday, seven weeks after he was appointed in a surprise move that sparked a political crisis in the island nation.
The former strongman signed his resignation letter, surrounded by his party members at his official residence in the capital, television footage showed.
Rajapaksa’s resignation is likely to bring to an end a nearly two-month-long power struggle and will pave the way for a new government to be established under President Maithripala Sirisena.
Sri Lanka plunged into a political turmoil when Sirisena abruptly sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 26 and replaced him with former President Rajapaksa. When Sirisena’s decision was contested, he dissolved Parliament and called for a snap parliamentary election in January.
Wickremesinghe is now expected to return to office on Sunday. “The President has agreed to swear in Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister tomorrow at 10 am,” his United National Party’s (UNP) spokesman Harin Fernando told the BBC.
Fernando said this would end the political deadlock and noted that the country and its economy had suffered a “huge damage” since the crisis began 50 days ago.
The ministers of the new Cabinet will take oath on Monday, the Colombo Telegraph reported citing UNP sources.
Rajapaksa will make a special statement on Sunday explaining the reasons for his decision to step down, the daily said.
His son Namal said his father had quit to ensure national stability.
Shehan Semasinghe, a lawmaker from Rajapaka’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, said the leader and his group will function as a strong opposition at the Parliament and will continue their call for a parliamentary election to end the political instability.
Rajapaksa decided to resign from his premiership on Friday after the Supreme Court continued a suspension order on him and his Cabinet from continuing in office.
It had also ruled as “unconstitutional” Sirisena’s decision to dissolve Parliament and conduct a snap parliamentary election.
Amid the crisis, Sri Lankan Parliament had earlier this week passed a vote of confidence in Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. His party and its allies have a simple majority in Parliament and have argued from the beginning that President Sirisena’s actions were unconstitutional.
The crisis, which had provoked brawls in Parliament and sparked huge protests, has been closely watched by India, as well as the US, China and European Union.
–IANS
soni/sed
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.