Rajapaksa Flees To Maldives With Wife

The President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country early this morning amidst the protests at his residence and office. In the face of the severe economic crisis, the people of Lanka have been struggling with severe shortage of food and fuel.

The President, his wife and two bodyguards left the nation aboard a Sri Lankan Air Force plane bound for Male, the capital of Maldives, according to an immigration official. He landed in Madlives, confirmed several news reports. Rajapaksa’s departure may end the rule of a dynasty which ruled the nation for the last two decades.

Bowing to the pressure from the public for his resignation, Rajapaksa had agreed to step down but he fled the country to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new government. Sri Lankans blamed the President for the worst economic crisis the country has been facing. The protesters stormed the streets and raised slogans against the mismanagement by the Rajapaksa family which resulted in increasing cost of living. They have been facing power cuts and struggling with shortage of basic necessities like food, fuel and medicines.

Rajapaksa enjoyed immunity from prosecution while in power. His brother, former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa, is also known to have left the country and heading to the USA.

The main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said he would contend for the Presidency once Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps down. However, he too lacks the support of public as they say they have no trust in any of the politicians in the country. 

As per the Constitution of the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should act as the President if the latter resigns but he too is unpopular. Last week, his house was set afire by the protesters. 

Next comes the Speaker of the Parliament who can step in as the caretaker President but Mahinda Yapa Abeywaredena is also known to be close to the Rajapaksa family and there is doubt if the public would support him.

With no strong contender for the President post, Sri Lanka is staring at a political vaccum and it has to be seen how things would change for the people.