Unrest grows in Sri Lanka, despite Prime Minister Rajapaksa's resignation over economic crisis
ABCSri Lanka's Prime Minister has resigned to make way for a unity government that would try to find a way out of the country's worst economic crisis in history, but protesters say they also want his brother to stand down as President. Key points: Protesters are calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, known as Gota Government politician Amarakeerthi Athukorala has died after a standoff with protesters Sri Lankans have suffered shortages of essentials, including fuel, cooking gas and medicines Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation came hours after clashes broke out in Colombo, where supporters of the ruling party stormed an anti-government protest camp and were beaten back by police using tear gas and water cannon. "We urge the government to work quickly to identify and implement solutions to achieve long-term economic stability and address the Sri Lankan people's discontent over the worsening economic conditions including power, food and medicine shortages as well," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in Washington. Outside the Prime Minister's residence, Osha De Silva was among the hundreds of protesters celebrating his resignation but said she also wanted the President to step down.