“It is expedient, so to do, in the interests of public security, the protection of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community,” a presidential statement said.

On 9 July 2022, amid reports that their homes were stormed and burned, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe both agreed to resign from their respective posts as Sri Lanka's President and Prime Minister.

Political parties including the Opposition agreed to form an all-party interim government after President's resignation. (ILKHA)