July 14, 2022

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has flown to Singapore from the Maldives.

Reports say the president fled to the Maldives on Wednesday, amid mass protests over Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

He had previously pledged to resign by Wednesday, but has failed to submit a formal resignation so far.

The leader, who as president enjoys immunity from prosecution, is believed to have wanted to leave Sri Lanka before stepping down to avoid the possibility of arrest by an incoming administration.

This is coming as acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe imposed a curfew this Thursday, from noon (06:30 GMT) to 05:00 on Friday to control protests.