Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told party leaders that he is ready to step down as prime minister and make room to form an all-party government, News 1st reports, citing the Sri Lankan premier's office.

He says he is making the decision because island-wide fuel distribution is scheduled to resume this week, the director of the World Food Program is due to visit the country this week, and the IMF's debt sustainability report is due to be finalized soon.

To ensure the safety of citizens, he agrees with this recommendation of the leaders of the opposition parties.

The prime minister's media department said the prime minister would step down after an all-party government was established and a majority in parliament secured.