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Sri Lanka’s disputed PM Rajapaksa resigns (Second Lead)

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Colombo, Dec 15 (IANS) Sri Lanka’s disputed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from his post on Saturday, signalling an end to nearly a two-month-long political crisis that has kept the island nation without a functional government.

The 73-year-old former strongman signed his resignation letter in the presence of his party members at his official residence in the capital, television footage showed.

Rajapaksa’s resignation came after the country’s Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay a lower court order barring him and his Cabinet from functioning. The Parliament had already passed two no-trust motions against him.

“The change of government that the people expected has now had to be put off. But the people will definitely get the change they desire. No one can prevent that,” Rajapaksa said in a statement cited by Efe news.

According to Rajapaksa, he was bowing out to allow President Maithripala Sirisena to “form a new government”.

Sri Lanka has been in turmoil since October 26 when Sirisena abruptly sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who leads the United National Party (UNP), and replaced him with former President Rajapaksa.

Sirisena had also dissolved the Parliament — almost 20 months before its term was to end — and called for a snap parliamentary election in January.

However, the Supreme Court earlier this week had declared the dissolution as unconstitutional and revoked the election dates. This left the country in a lurch without a functioning government and the prospect of being unable to pass the annual budget as Sri Lankan law doesn’t allow the President to approve budgetary provisions.

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,” UNP spokesman Harin Fernando told the BBC.

The ministers of the new Cabinet will take oath on Monday, the Colombo Telegraph reported citing UNP sources.

Shehan Semasinghe, a lawmaker from Rajapaka’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party, said the leader and his group will function as a strong opposition in Parliament and will continue their call for a parliamentary election to end the political instability.

“The main challenge facing us in the interval between now and the formation of a people’s government will be to minimise the damage that can be done by the destructive forces that are now seeking restoration to their former positions,” Rajapaksa said, referring to the comeback of Wickremesinghe on the post.

The Sri Lankan Parliament had earlier this week passed a vote of confidence in Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. His party and its allies have a majority in Parliament.

The crisis had provoked protests in the country and brawls in Parliament, with legislators clashing on the chamber floor — throwing chairs, books, and chilli paste — over who should remain the country’s Prime Minister.

–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

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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.

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