Sri Lankan President Leaves Maldives for Singapore
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the Maldives on a Saudi Airlines flight bound for Singapore.
The president had fled to Maldives a day earlier amid mass protests over Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
It is not clear if Mr. Rajapaksa will stay in Singapore or whether he would use it as a layover destination.
He had previously pledged to resign by Wednesday but has failed to submit a formal resignation.
Read more: Sri Lanka President Flees Country Amid Crisis
Read more: Sri Lanka Protesters Storm Presidential Villa
Immunity
Mr. Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from prosecution as a president and is believed to have wanted to flee abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new administration.
It comes as Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe imposed a curfew for a second day, to quell protests.
One person died and 84 others were injured after Wednesday’s protests, which took place at key landmarks around the capital of Colombo, including the prime minister’s office.
Mr. Wickremesinghe was appointed acting president after President Rajapaksa fled but the decision triggered further protests demanding that he also resign.
BBC/MO/CO
