Sri Lanka President formally resigns

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has formally resigned as president of Sri Lanka after fleeing to Singapore in the face of mass protests at home over his rule.

The resignation letter was sent by email to the speaker of parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who said he would complete legal processes and announce it officially on Friday.

“From this point, we will move to constitutionally appoint a new president,” the speaker, told reporters. “It will happen quickly and successfully. I request everyone to support this process.”

It has left some people confused as to where they stand

Rajapaksa is believed to have wanted to leave Sri Lanka before stepping down in order to avoid the possibility of arrest under a new administration.

The cost of food, fuel and other basic supplies has soared for Sri Lankans.

In the capital Colombo, delighted demonstrators greeted news of the president’s departure with dancing.

“We are beyond happy but also beyond relieved so we can take a break and go back to our lives,” Viraga Perera told reporters.

“At this stage, we are so exhausted because of all the flip-flopping, that we consider this moment substantial enough as a victory.”

Mr. Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore earlier on Thursday after first flying to the Maldives on Tuesday night. Reports say he is accompanied by his wife and two bodyguards.

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Singapore’s foreign ministry said Mr. Rajapaksa had not asked for asylum or been granted asylum. “Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum,” it added.

The acting president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, does not formally become interim president until he is sworn in.

After that, Mr. Wickremesinghe – who was appointed acting president by President Rajapaksa after the latter fled – has 30 days for parliament to endorse him. If they do not, MPs need to hold a vote for a new president.

Mr. Wickremesinghe on Thursday imposed a curfew for a second day to quell protests.

The streets of Colombo were calmer as anti-government demonstrators began leaving some of the official buildings they had occupied.

“We are peacefully withdrawing from the presidential palace, the presidential secretariat and the prime minister’s office with immediate effect, but will continue our struggle,” said a spokeswoman for the protesters.

One person died and 84 others were injured during Wednesday’s protests, which took place at key landmarks around the capital, Colombo, including the prime minister’s office.

Major demonstrations since April over the country’s economic crisis escalated after protesters broke into the presidential palace on Saturday and set fire to the prime minister’s private home.

On Wednesday, police fired tear gas at protesters attempting to break down the gates of the prime minister’s office in Colombo, before finally forcing their way in. They later headed for parliament but did not get in.

By Thursday, protesters had handed back the president’s official residence to the authorities.

“We captured this building to show people power. We give it back the way we captured it and leave. We will come back in the next minute if needed,” Danish Ali, a protester at the prime minister’s office, said.

Zainab Sa’id