Sri Lanka Crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Flees To Maldives With Wife Ahead Of Resignation

After protests swelled across the country with thousands storming Gotabaya's residence on July 9 demanding his ouster, the President promised to resign on Wednesday, July 13.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Source : Getty

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled his country to the Maldives early Wednesday, reported news agency PTI, citing sources. Gotabaya who is due to offer his resignation today, landed in Maldivian capital Malé, along with his wife and two bodyguards in an Antonov-32 military aircraft, the report added.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday will be sworn in as the caretaker President till a new President is elected by Parliament on July 20 after nominations for the post on July 19. 

Notably, Wickremesinghe is also unpopular and was forced to step down from his post amid the ongoing protests. He said he would resign for the safety of all the citizens and make way for a unity government.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is due to offer his resignation on Wednesday, has landed in Maldivian capital Malé: Sources

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2022

After protests swelled across the country with thousands storming Gotabaya's residence on July 9 demanding his ouster, the President promised to resign on Wednesday, July 13,  and clear the way for a "peaceful transition of power".

Rajapaksa had to be evacuated by the security forces and protected on a naval vessel within the territorial waters of the country.

Sri Lankan politics has been dominated by the Rajapaksa family for close to two decades. During this period they also enjoyed a strong backing from the Sinhala Buddhist majority, he became the president in 2019. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was sworn in as the President of the country in 2019.

Sri Lanka is facing one of the worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed with Some 6.26 million Sri Lankans, or three in 10 households unsure of their next meal, according to food insecurity assessment from the World Food Programme (WFP), reported ANI.