In the midst of widespread protests over the country’s economic problems, Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the nation on a military jet.
The 73-year-old, together with his wife and two security personnel, took a flight to the Maldives, according to the country’s air force.
According to BBC Sinhala, they landed in Male, the nation’s capital, at roughly 03:30 local time (22:00 GMT).
A family dynasty that had dominated Sri Lanka for many years comes to an end with Mr. Rajapaksa’s departure.
He had been hiding out since Saturday’s invasion by large groups of people.
The president had originally stated that he would step down on Wednesday, July 13.
According to sources and reported by the BBC, his brother, the former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has also departed the nation. He is reportedly traveling to the US.
Thousands of people flooded Colombo’s streets as soon as Sri Lankans learned of the president’s departure. At Galle Face Green, the city’s primary protest location, many people gathered. On a temporary platform made up for speakers of the people to grab the mic, some people listened to ferocious speeches.
