Sri Lanka president's brother quits Parliament amid crisis

Members of the Socialist Youth Union dressed as Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, right, and his brothers, finance minister Basil, left, and prime minister Mahinda walk during a protest against the worst economic crisis in memory in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Basil Rajapaksa, the younger brother of Sri Lanka's president and the country's former finance minister, said he resigned from Parliament on Thursday, amid mounting criticism of his alleged role in dragging the island nation into its worst economic crisis in memory.

He told a news conference he had submitted a letter to give up his Parliament seat but insisted that he was not solely responsible for the country's economic hardships.

"The crisis was there even when I took over," he said. "I did my best with all my strength."

Rajapaksa, a member of the powerful political family that has ruled Sri Lanka for much of the past two decades, served as finance minister from July last year until April, when he resigned with other ministers over the government's failure to resolve the economic situation.

He said Thursday that successive governments that ruled Sri Lanka since the 1950s deserve blame too because "they took loans and spent them" without taking steps to avert a crisis.

The resignation could be seen as a severe blow to the Rajapaksa dynasty, which has faced growing public outrage. Protesters have occupied the entrance to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office for more than 50 days demanding his resignation, saying the primary responsibility for the economic crisis rests with him and his family, who they accuse of corruption and mismanagement.

The protests drove another family member, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, from office last month amid nationwide violence that saw his supporters attack peaceful protesters. One of the president's other siblings and a nephew also resigned from their Cabinet posts but still serve as lawmakers.

Mahinda Rajapaksa was Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2015.

Basil Rajapaksa said Thursday he would not be involved in government anymore but vowed to "continue political work."

Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in a foreign debt default. The country announced last month that it is suspending nearly US$7 billion in foreign debt repayments due this year out of about $25 billion due by 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt stands at $51 billion.

For months Sri Lankans have endured shortages of food and fuel, power outages and other privations. The country lacks the financial wherewithal to buy imported necessities and pay its debts.

Authorities have started discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package and have asked the IMF to lead a conference to unite Sri Lanka's lenders.