National strike in Sri Lanka demands govt step down

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his resignation in a tweet on Monday, after dozens of people were hospitalized when his supporters, armed with sticks and clubs, attacked protestors.

Public anger has sparked sustained protests demanding the government step down over its mismanagement of the crisis, Sri Lanka's worst since independence in 1948.

The country has suffered months of blackouts and acute shortages of food, fuel and medicines.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has insisted he will not step down, despite escalating demonstrations across the island.

He also condemned “the violent acts taking place by those inciting and participating, irrespective of political allegiances," as his brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigns as prime minister.