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Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country early Wednesday, shortly after thousands of protesters attacked his home over the country’s serious economic crisis.
Prime Ministers Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe both agreed to resign, and the president’s resignation came into effect on Wednesday. Wickremesinghe said he would resign when the new government was inaugurated, but demonstrators are demanding that he resign immediately.
After Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka, protesters attacked the Prime Minister’s Office, and parts of the country declared a state of emergency.
While the crowd barked in support, cheered on them, and waved the Sri Lankan flag, the group could be seen expanding the walls into the office. Police tried to use tear gas to disperse the crowd, but failed and marched down the lane towards the office.
President of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister resigning after opposition storm dwelling, ignite
On Wednesday morning, Sri Lankans continued to flow into the presidential residence. More and more people were waiting to enter the dwelling. Many traveled by public transport from outside Colombo. Protesters said they would stay in the official building until the top leaders were gone.
According to the Immigration Bureau, the president, his wife, and two bodyguards left the country on a Sri Lankan Air Force plane to the Maldives. Rajapaksa left just hours before he was due to leave his post. The Speaker of Parliament said the president would later appoint the prime minister to act as president.
This happens after months of demonstrations against Sri Lankan officials as South Asian countries are tackling severe food and fuel shortages and rising inflation.
Protesters recently broke into Rajapaksa’s house, occupying a bed and swimming in the pool. They also targeted the Prime Minister’s private residence and fired it.
Some demonstrators waved the Sri Lankan flag as the chanting took place against the president and the prime minister.
The president and his family have been accused by protesters of sucking money from government finances for years, but the family has denied the claim. And the Rajapaksa administration has been accused of contributing to the country’s economic collapse through its policies. Rajapaksa admits that some of his policies have contributed to the crisis.
“It’s unfortunate that he escaped. He should be put in jail,” said one of the protesters occupying Cheong Wa Dae, Rajapaksa “destroying this country and stealing our money. I. We will not stop until we have a new president and prime minister. ” “”
President Sri Lanka was blocked by airport staff while trying to flee the country after protesters invaded their homes
The Air Force said in a statement that an aircraft had been provided to the president and his wife for a flight to the Maldives. The flight was approved by the Ministry of Defense. According to the statement, all immigration and customs laws were in compliance.
Sri Lankan lawmakers agreed to elect a new president on Tuesday, but struggled to determine the composition of the new government to help lift the poor from economic and political collapse.
Parliamentarians have not yet selected a person to take over the prime minister and fill the cabinet.
Rajapaksa’s successor will serve as president for the rest of his term ending in 2024. New leaders may choose a new prime minister that Congress must approve.
Economic protests are raging around the world as a challenge from inflation, the Ukrainian war and the coronavirus infection
Approximately 22 million countries are facing a serious foreign exchange shortage, limiting significant imports of fuels, food and medicine. The shortage has driven the island into the worst financial situation in 70 years.
Sri Lanka has not received fuel shipments in recent weeks and has been forced to close schools, limiting gasoline and diesel for critical services. Residents are running out of food for hours in line due to lack of fuel.
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And the country’s inflation level is skyrocketing. Inflation in Sri Lanka reached 54.6% in June.
Political turmoil in the country can affect the country’s desire to receive relief from the International Monetary Fund. The government must submit a debt sustainability plan to the IMF in August before reaching an agreement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.