President of Sri Lanka, 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), according to circulating report.
Mr. Rajapaksa’s departure ends a family dynasty that has dominated Sri Lankan politics for the last two decades. The President was hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday, July 9, 2022, and pledged to resign on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. A source disclosed to the media that Mr. Rajapaksa will not remain in the Maldives and intends to travel on to a third country. His brother, who was the former Finance Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, also left Sri Lanka and is said to be heading to the US.
Waking up to a surprise
As Sri Lankans awoke to the news, thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Colombo. Many gathered at Galle Face Green, the city’s main protest site. Some listened to fiery speeches at a makeshift stage set up for ordinary people to take the mic. Punctuated by cries of “Victory to the struggle”, the rallying cry of the protest movement, speakers railed against a government and the leaders they feel disappointed by.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has declared a state of emergency across the country and a curfew has been imposed in the western province, a spokesperson in his office said. Police fired tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who were walking near the Prime Minister’s office and towards the Parliament house.
Some demonstrators were furious about Mr. Rajapaksa’s departure, seeing a lack of accountability. “We don’t like it. We want to keep him. We want our money back! And we want to put all the Rajapaksas in an open prison where they can do farm work,” said protester GP Nimal. But 23-year-old university student, Reshani Samarakoon, told the media that the former President’s exile offered “hope that in the future we can eventually become a developed country, economically and socially”.
Sri Lankans blame President Rajapaksa’s administration for the country’s worst economic crisis in decades. For months, Sri Lankans have been struggling with daily power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel, food and medicines. Report suggests that Mr. Rajapaksa, who enjoys immunity from prosecution while he is President, is believed to have wanted to flee abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new administration.
What the President’s Departure Means
The President’s departure threatens a potential power vacuum in Sri Lanka, which needs a functioning government to help start digging it out of financial ruin. Politicians from other parties have been talking about forming a new unity government but there is no sign they are near agreement yet. Again, it’s also not clear if the public would accept what they come up with.
Under the constitution, the Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, would act in the President’s stead if the latter resigns, as the Prime Minister is considered the President’s deputy in Parliament. However, Mr. Wickremesinghe is also deeply unpopular. Protesters set fire to his private residence on Saturday, July 9, 2022, although it was reported that he and his family were not inside.
Mr. Wickremesinghe also announced that he would resign to make way for a unity government, but gave no date. constitutional experts say. This leaves the Parliament’s Speaker, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, as the next most likely to step in as caretaker President. But Mr. Yapa Abeywardena is an ally of the Rajapaksas, and it is unclear whether the public would accept his authority.
Whoever becomes the acting President will have 30 days to hold an election for a new President among members of Parliament. The winner of that vote could then see out the remainder of Mr. Rajapaksa’s term until late 2024.
READ ALSO: Non-Traditional Exports Growing At An Average Rate Of 4% Over The Last 5 Years
