COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country on Wednesday, four officials said, after months of protests demanding he leave office culminated with protesters storming his official residence in the capital, Colombo. Mr. Rajapaksa left on an air force plane for the Maldives at about 2 a.m. local time, said Colonel Nalin Herath, a spokesman for Sri Lanka’s defense ministry. Three immigration officials, who declined to be named because of the political situation, also confirmed his departure. The island nation is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, exacerbated by government mismanagement and mistakes. Demonstrations over severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel have been going on for months. Mr Rajapaksa went into hiding after protesters occupied his office and residence on Saturday and told allies he was resigning. The country’s prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had suggested on Saturday that he would also step down, but it appeared that he would stay on. The protesters also demanded his resignation. As Mr. Rajapaksa’s departure from the country was confirmed, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the speaker of parliament, said in a telephone interview that he had not yet received the president’s letter of resignation, which would have formalized the end of his presidency. Mr Rajapaksa, 73, a career military officer, would be the last member of his family’s dynasty to leave the government. In May, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the prime minister and the president’s older brother, was forced to resign by the protests. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, another brother and several other family members were also removed from their posts. Fuel shortages have disrupted daily life in Sri Lanka for months, with the prime minister declaring the country effectively bankrupt and out of foreign exchange reserves for key imports. Food and medicine prices have skyrocketed, power outages have become the norm and public transport is often suspended to shore up fuel supplies. The transition to a new government now puts the spotlight on a parliament that has long frustrated the island nation of 22 million, with lawmakers and political parties embroiled in protracted and dirty power struggles. Complicating matters, the ruling party loyal to Rajapaksa still retains a majority of seats. The Sri Lankan constitution is clear on succession. In the event of the resignation of the president, the prime minister assumes his duties in a temporary capacity. Proceedings then turn to the House, where lawmakers vote a new president from among themselves to complete the term. Mr Rajapaksa’s term was two years ahead. As protesters took over Colombo this week, even the basics of a transition were uncertain because Mr Wickremesinghe also said he would resign after protesters stormed his offices and forced him into hiding. But since Mr Wickremesinghe has not formally gone ahead with his resignation, he will likely become deputy president. Opposition lawmakers said parliament would then meet on Friday, which would open the process to elect a new president, which could technically be completed in a week. – Skandha Gunasekara and Mujib Mashal
title: “Sri Lanka Live Updates President Rajapaksa Flees To Maldives " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-30” author: “Raymond Johnson”
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on Wednesday after months of protests demanding that he step down, culminating in protesters storming his official residence. Mr. Rajapaksa left on an air force plane for the Maldives at about 2 a.m. local time, said Colonel Nalin Herath, a spokesman for Sri Lanka’s defense ministry. Three immigration officials, who declined to be named because of the political situation, also confirmed his departure. The island nation is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, exacerbated by government mismanagement and mistakes. Demonstrations over severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel have been going on for months. Mr Rajapaksa went into hiding when protesters occupied his office and residence. He had told allies he would step down on Wednesday. The country’s prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had suggested on Saturday that he would also step down, but it appeared that he would stay on. The protesters also demanded his resignation. As Mr. Rajapaksa’s departure from the country was confirmed, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the speaker of parliament, said in a telephone interview that he had not yet received the president’s letter of resignation, which would have formalized the end of his presidency. Mr Rajapaksa, 73, a career military officer, would be the last member of his family’s dynasty to leave the government. In May, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the prime minister and the president’s older brother, was forced to resign by the protests. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, another brother and several other family members were also removed from their posts. Fuel shortages have disrupted daily life in Sri Lanka for months, with the country virtually bankrupt and without foreign exchange reserves for essential imports. Food and medicine prices have skyrocketed, power outages have become the norm and public transport is often suspended to shore up fuel supplies. The transition to a new government now puts the spotlight on a parliament that has long frustrated the island nation of 22 million, with lawmakers and political parties embroiled in protracted and dirty power struggles. Complicating matters, the ruling party loyal to Rajapaksa still retains a majority of seats. The Sri Lankan constitution is clear on succession. In the event of the resignation of the president, the prime minister assumes his duties in a temporary capacity. Proceedings then turn to the House, where lawmakers vote a new president from among themselves to complete the term. Mr Rajapaksa’s term was two years ahead. However, the nation’s political leaders remain unpopular and many are linked to the Rajapaksa family. The protesters were adamant that a new leader should be appointed who is free from these ties. On Wednesday morning, as protesters processed the president’s departure, it was unclear whether that would be enough to end months of protests. – Skandha Gunasekara and Mujib Mashal
