China stays mum on Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation, calls for Govt-Opposition unity in island nation

Skirting questions on Sri Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation under mounting protests, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here "we have noted the latest developments in Sri Lanka".

Beijing: Watching warily the spiralling violence in Sri Lanka, China on Wednesday declined to comment on the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who paved the way for Beijing's substantial strategic investments in the island nation, but called on the government and Opposition parties to close ranks to deal with the crisis.

Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic crisis and political instability ever after Independence due to manifold reasons both short and long-term.

As per PTI, skirting questions on Rajapaksa's resignation under mounting protests followed by a wave of unprecedented attacks on his properties and that of his supporters forcing him to flee to a naval base in eastern Sri Lanka, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here "we have noted the latest developments in Sri Lanka".

"We hope that the Sri Lankan government, as well as the Opposition parties in the country, will bear in mind the fundamental interests of their country, stay united and secure the economic and political stability in that country at an early date", he said.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, resigned as Sri Lankan Prime Minister on Monday amid unprecedented economic turmoil, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital.