Rajapaksa’s office said his resignation letter was received by the speaker of the country’s parliament after he flew from Singapore, where the leader had taken refuge. The speaker’s office said it would verify the authenticity of the letter, complete all legal procedures and make a formal announcement about Rajapaksa’s resignation on Friday. Many Sri Lankans hold Rajapaksa responsible for driving Sri Lanka into its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, which has led to severe shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Along with several members of his politically powerful family who held political positions, he is accused of financial mismanagement and widespread corruption. Rajapaksa has not addressed the Sri Lankan people directly since he was evacuated from his home on Saturday morning, ahead of protests in which hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Colombo demanding he step down. He fled to the Maldives on Wednesday under cover of darkness and then went to Singapore, leaving Sri Lanka in a state of political turmoil as he refused to step down for more than 36 hours despite his absence. Rajapaksa’s resignation was confirmed by Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives, who helped facilitate the president’s escape to the Maldives on Wednesday. Rasheed tweeted: “President GR resigned. I hope Sri Lanka can now move on. I believe the president would not have resigned if he was still in Sri Lanka and was afraid of losing his life.” Rajapaksa had fended off months of demands to step down, but was forced to step down after protests in Colombo on Saturday culminated in thousands occupying the presidential palace and offices. He had originally set a July 13 resignation date but delayed as he appeared to struggle to find a country that would accept him and give him a safe haven. After his arrival on Thursday, the Singaporean government made it clear that Rajapaksa was not there to stay. In a statement released immediately, the foreign ministry clarified that Rajapaksa had entered Singapore “on a private visit” and that he “has neither sought nor been granted asylum”. An Indian government spokesman also denied reports that India helped facilitate Rajapaksa’s escape from Sri Lanka. Its final destination remains unclear. There are reports that he will travel to Saudi Arabia, but these could not be confirmed. Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing the UN General Assembly in New York in 2021. Photo: Justin Lane/EPA Observers said they assumed the announcement of his resignation would not come until he arrived at a destination where he could secure protection from prosecution on charges of alleged corruption. He also faces long-standing charges of war crimes from his time as head of the armed forces during Sri Lanka’s civil war. Sri Lanka remained under a state of emergency and soldiers were authorized to use necessary force to prevent the destruction of property and life, the country’s military said in a statement on Thursday. Protesters filled the streets of Colombo on Wednesday and, after confronting police and army and heavy tear gas, occupied Wickremesinghe’s offices, demanding that he step down as prime minister and interim president. On Thursday morning, protesters said they had peacefully surrendered the government buildings they had seized, including the presidential palace and offices and the prime minister’s official residence, in order to maintain peace. Rajapaksa’s formal resignation paves the way for a new multi-party unity government to take over. Parliament is due to reconvene on Friday, when a new cabinet and prime minister will be installed. MPs will then vote for a new president on July 20.
