Lankan President Rajapaksa Flee To Maldives, Incite Protest Against Him

Mr. Rajapaksa was received by the Maldivian Govt. at the airport

Colombo: Sri Lanka faces the worst days of the economic crisis. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was expected to resign today, arrived in the Maldives early this morning in the wake of massive protests against him.

The Sri Lankan President was received by the Maldivian government representatives at the Velana airport in Male.

According to the report, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa, his wife and two bodyguards boarded a Male-bound military aircraft from Colombo international airport last night. Reports suggest that his younger brother and former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa has also left the country.

In an official report by NDTV, the defence officials of the country said, Mr Rajapaksa requested them for a plane last night and that they were "obligated" to provide him one. Mr Rajapaksa continues to be the supreme commander of the defence forces as President. Prime Minister Rani Wickremesinghe's office has also confirmed that the President has left the country.

Taking notes from the Maldives airport officials, on arrival in the Maldives, President Rajapaksa, his wife and bodyguards were driven to an undisclosed location under police escort.

Earlier this morning, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka refuted the reports which claimed that India helped President Rajapaksa and his brother Basil flee to the Maldives.

"High Commission categorically denies baseless and speculative media reports that India facilitated the recently reported travel of @gotabayar @Realbrajapaksa out of Sri Lanka. It is reiterated that India will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka," it tweeted.

Being the president, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from arrest, and he is believed to have wanted to go abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of being detained.

The President had promised to resign on Wednesday and clear the way for a "peaceful transition of power". Sri Lanka's political parties have stepped up efforts to form an all-party government and subsequently elect a new President on July 20.

Earlier, both Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Basil were turned back at the Colombo airport early Tuesday as they attempted to leave the country amid mounting anger against the Rajapaksa family for mishandling the island's worst economic crisis.