Mr. Rajapaksa left on a Sri Lankan air force plane for the Maldivian city of Male at midnight on Wednesday, an immigration official confirmed on condition of anonymity. The president arrived in Male around 3am local time (10pm GMT), it was reported. He was received by a representative of the Maldivian government at Velana airport and taken to an undisclosed location under police escort, the report said, citing Maldivian officials. Later, media in the Maldives reported that Mr Rajapaksa had flown to Singapore. He is likely to send his resignation letter only after reaching his final destination, Sri Lanka’s The Morning reported, citing government sources. He was earlier reported to have missed “four flights” at Colombo International Airport the day before when immigration staff refused to go to the VIP suite to stamp his passport to allow him to fly to the UAE. The country’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, acting as president, declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after Mr Rajapaksa fled the country, a move that has further fueled tensions as there are growing calls for the prime minister to step down as well. Protesters on Wednesday marched on the prime minister’s office after news of Mr Rajapaksa’s escape, calling for his resignation. “The prime minister as acting president has declared a state of emergency (across the country) and imposed a curfew in the western province,” Mr Wickremesinghe’s media secretary Dinouk Colombage announced. Mr Wickremesinghe said he would step down on Saturday when protesters stormed the presidential palace, but has now said he will serve as president until a replacement is chosen. In his first televised speech since Mr. Rajapaksa fled, the prime minister claimed there was a fascist threat to democracy in Sri Lanka and promised to restore order. “We must end this fascist threat to democracy. We cannot allow the destruction of state property. The president’s office, the president’s secretariat and the prime minister’s official residence must be returned to normal custody,” he said. “Those in my office want to prevent me from fulfilling my responsibilities as deputy president. We cannot let them tear up our constitution. We cannot allow the fascists to take over. Some mainstream politicians also seem to support these extremists. That is why I have declared a state of emergency across the country and a curfew,” he said. He also announced that he has directed the military commanders and the police chief to do whatever is necessary to bring the current situation under control. The speech came after thousands of protesters stormed Mr Wickremesinghe’s office on Wednesday, after occupying other government buildings in recent days. Teams can be seen climbing the wall and entering the office as the crowds roar in support, cheering them on and waving the Sri Lankan flag. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, but it failed and more and more people marched towards the office. Protesters fire tear gas as they gather outside Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office (AP) Among the buildings hit were the headquarters of Sri Lanka’s state television network Rupavahini, which briefly suspended its broadcast after protesters entered the station. The telecast continued later. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Wednesday said Mr Rajapaksa had informed him by telephone that he would resign today as promised. He also said that in Mr Rajapaksa’s absence, he had authorized the prime minister to exercise presidential duties. Mr Rajapaksa had earlier announced he would step down on Wednesday under pressure after the presidential palace in Colombo was stormed by angry protesters who were seen jumping into the luxury residence’s swimming pool and ransacking the kitchen and wardrobes. Protesters continued to remain there after three days and more are arriving on Wednesday morning. They also burned the prime minister’s private home as anger continued to grow against the Rajapaksa family that has ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades. Protesters have squarely blamed the family for the country’s biggest economic crisis since independence. As the economy slumped and protesters took to the streets demanding basics like fuel and electricity, the removal of the powerful political dynasty from many official positions remained at the center of demands. Sri Lankans wanted to take responsibility for bringing the country to this state. Experts said Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is the result of many factors, including global inflation and the handling of the economy over the decades. Mr Rajapaksa had remained in power even after his younger brothers Mahinda and Basil had resigned earlier in May and June as prime minister and finance minister respectively after months of turmoil. His decision to finally step down after his home was raided was a welcome step as protesters sought a complete overhaul of Sri Lanka’s political system. But right now there is no end to the crisis. Protesters have vowed to occupy official buildings until top leaders leave. Sri Lankan presidents are protected from arrest while in office and it is possible that Mr Rajapaksa planned his escape while still enjoying constitutional immunity. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan lawmakers agreed to elect a new president next week but struggled to decide on the composition of a new government to pull the bankrupt country out of economic and political collapse. The new president will serve out the remainder of Mr Rajapaksa’s term, which ends in 2024, and could potentially appoint a new prime minister, who would then have to be approved by parliament. Additional reports from agencies
