Gotabaya Rajapaksa
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country on a military jet, amid mass protests over its economic crisis.
The country’s air force confirmed the 73-year-old flew to the Maldives with his wife and two security officials.
They arrived in the capital, Male, at around 03:00 local time (22:00 GMT).
Rajapaksa’s departure ends a family dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for decades.
He had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday.
The president had earlier pledged to resign on Wednesday 13 July. On Wednesday morning officials told Reuters news agency that he had yet to submit his letter of resignation to the parliamentary speaker.
FURTHER READING:
His brother, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has also left the country, sources have told the BBC. He is said to be heading to the US.
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