Sri Lanka’s president has fled the country after massive protests, international media report. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is said to have fled in a military plane. His departure comes after his official residence was stormed by an angry mob of demonstrators on Saturday. He had been in hiding ever since.
Sri Lanka has been restless for some time because of a deep economic crisis. There is a severe shortage of basic necessities such as fuel, food and medicine. The people hold the president and his government responsible for the malaise. Recently, there have been regular large-scale demonstrations demanding the government’s departure. Rajapaksa had already announced on Saturday that he would resign on Wednesday.
According to the BBC The brother of the president and finance minister, Basil Rajapaksa, has also fled. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is also likely to leave the country. According to the British broadcaster, the Sri Lankan leader may have left to avoid prosecution by a new government. As long as he is president, he has immunity.
Parliament has agreed to appoint a new president on July 20. The largest opposition party nominates Sajith Premadasa, son of a former president, as a candidate.