Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned as Sri Lankan President on Thursday after landing in Singapore from Maldives after he fled the island nation amid massive protests against his government's mishandling of the economy. "The Speaker of Sri Lanka's Parliament has received President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation letter," Sri Lankan Speaker's office said.
Rajapaksa landed in Singapore from the Maldives after he fled Sri Lanka on Tuesday after thousands of protesters stormed his official residence, blaming him for the unprecedented economic crisis. Rajapaksa, who enjoys immunity from prosecution while he is president, fled the island nation without resigning to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new government.
However, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Rajapaksa was allowed entry into Singapore on a private visit. "Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into Singapore on a private visit. He has not asked for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum. Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum," a statement said.
READ | Sri Lanka's President Rajapaksa Reaches Singapore, Govt Says Allowed Entry On 'Private Visit'
Rajapaksa (73), who had agreed to quit on Wednesday, designated Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as acting President hours after fleeing the country. On Thursday, Wickremesinghe asked the Speaker to nominate a Prime Minister who was acceptable to both the government and Opposition.
The President's resignation comes on a day the protesters announced they would end their occupation of official buildings, including the presidential palace, presidential secretariat and the Prime Minister's office.
"We are peacefully withdrawing from all buildings except the old parliament (president’s office) and Galle Face (the continuous protest site). We will continue to remain in these places, we will continue to protest until we reach our goals," PTI quoted a spokesperson for the group as saying.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Army in a statement urged the protesters to desist from violence immediately or be prepared to face the "consequences", warning that the security forces were "legitimately empowered" to exercise force.
One person died and at least 84 people were hospitalised when protesters clashed with the security forces at the PM's office and near Parliament on Wednesday. The police fired tear gas and water cannons at the mob who were trying to break barriers and enter the restricted zone.