Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves after handing over resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 21, 2019. Sri Lanka's Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped down from his post as Prime Minister on Wednesday, after the ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa was defeated at the presidential polls which was won by Rajapaksa. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)
COLOMBO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ranil Wickremesinghe, who stepped down from his post as Prime Minister on Wednesday, said he would allow the new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form his own cabinet, accepting the mandate of the people.
Wickremesinghe stepped down from his post after the ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa was defeated at the presidential polls which was won by Rajapaksa.
In a statement released soon after the announcement of his resignation, Wickremesinghe said that under his premiership, his government, within the past four years, had established democracy, human rights and freedom of speech.
He added that last Saturday's presidential elections was also held in a free, fair and independent way and this was due to democracy being restored in the country.
"Though we have the majority, we decided to allow him (the president) to form his own government, accepting the mandate of the people," Wickremesinghe said.
"I respect democracy. During my tenure as prime minister I have received praise and insults. I thank everyone who said good or bad about me," he added.
Local media reports said that following Wickremesinghe's resignation, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is likely to form a new caretaker government this week.
