Sri Lanka President Flees Maldives to Singapore... Resignation Letter Sent by 'Email'

Delivered to the Speaker of Parliament in Singapore

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka who is currently fleeing abroad, has officially stepped down by sending his resignation letter to the Speaker of the Parliament via 'email'.

Bloomberg reported on the 14th (local time) that President Rajapaksa submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Parliament by email while fleeing overseas. The Speaker has verified the original resignation letter and plans to officially announce the resignation the following day in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the constitution.

On the 13th, he fled to the Maldives by an air force plane to escape anti-government protesters, and on the same day, he arrived in Singapore on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight. Prior to this, he attempted to escape to Dubai but was prevented from leaving by airport staff. Although there were rumors of asylum in Singapore, the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that he has not applied for asylum. The final destination of President Rajapaksa has not been confirmed yet.

Citizens of Sri Lanka, who were suffering from severe economic hardships such as gasoline shortages and suspension of public transportation, launched large-scale anti-government protests from the 9th, occupying the presidential residence and office. Under pressure from protesters and opposition parties to resign, President Rajapaksa finally announced his intention to resign on this day. The day he submitted his resignation was one day later than the originally promised date (the 13th).

As the parliament began discussions for a regime change, the protesters agreed to lift the occupation of the residence and office.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who became acting president and declared a national emergency, announced that he formed a committee including the police and military chiefs to improve the situation. He emphasized that a new president will be elected by the 20th of this month. To prevent the recurrence of protests, he imposed a curfew in the Colombo area from noon on the 14th until 5 a.m. on the 15th.

Especially as Sri Lanka urgently needs to launch a new government to resume talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding bailout funds, the international community also urged the country's leaders to elect a leader as soon as possible. Ant?nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), said he is "closely monitoring" the situation in Sri Lanka and stated that "the grievances of the protesters must be addressed." He further emphasized that "party leaders must compromise for a peaceful and democratic transition."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.