President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Leaves Sri Lanka On A Military Plane After Midnight

JAKARTA - President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka early in the morning on an air force military plane. Gotabaya Rajapaksa even though he had intended to resign due to a massive demonstration.

Rajapaksa departed on an Air Force plane for the Maldives at around 2 a.m. local time, said Colonel Nalin Herath, a spokesman for Sri Lanka's defense ministry. Three immigration officials, who declined to be named due to the political situation, confirmed his departure as well, as quoted by The New York Times, Wednesday, June 13.

Rajapaksa is due to step down amid widespread protests over his handling of Sri Lanka's devastating economic crisis.

Rajapaksa, his wife and two bodyguards left on a Sri Lankan Air Force plane.

A government source said Rajapaksa left for Male, the capital of the Maldives. The Sri Lankan president will most likely continue his trip to other Asian countries from there, the source said.

Sri Lanka is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history. It was exacerbated by mismanagement and government missteps.

Protests over severe food, medicine and fuel shortages have been going on for months.

Rajapaksa went into hiding after protesters took over his office and residence. He had told allies he was stepping down on Wednesday.

The country's prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Saturday suggested he too would step down, but he appeared to stay. Protesters also demanded his resignation.