Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been facing massive protests over the economic situation in the country, left the Maldives today aboard a Saudi airline plane bound for Singapore.

Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa flies to Singapore from Maldives

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned from his post. He has e-mailed his resignation to the speaker of the country's parliament. The former president of the country in unprecedented chaos landed in Singapore from Maldives on Thursday (July 14). He had fled Sri Lanka on a military plane to go to Maldives.

It is being reported that Rajapaksa e-mailed his resignation to speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament.

Interestingly, Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed tweeted about Rajapaksa's resignation. He referred to Rajapaksa as 'GR' in his tweet.

"President GR has resigned. I hope Sri Lanka can now move forward. I believe the President would not have resigned if he were still in Sri Lanka, and fearful of losing his life. I commend the thoughtful actions of the Govt of Maldives. My best wishes to the people of Sri Lanka," tweeted Nasheed.

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🇱🇰 President GR has resigned. I hope Sri Lanka can now move forward. I believe the President would not have resigned if he were still in Sri Lanka, and fearful of losing his life. I commend the thoughtful actions of the Govt of Maldives. My best wishes to the people of Sri Lanka.
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedNasheed/status/1547583437602979841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The resignation was being forwarded to the country's attorney general to consider legal implications before being formally accepted, said AFP quoting sources.

 
Sri Lanka is currently witnessing unprecedented chaos due a major economic crisis that has seen acute shortage of food, medicine and fuel among others. There have been massive protests across the country and huge mobs of angry Sri Lankans have ransacked official residences of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and now former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

As president, Rajapaksa enjoyed immunity from arrest. He had agreed to step down in the wake of massive protests. He fled the country on Wednesday and went to Maldives. From there he flew to Singapore on Thursday.

Singapore's foreign ministry confirmed Rajapaksa had been allowed to enter the city-state for a "private visit", adding: "He has not asked for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned from his post. He has e-mailed his resignation to the speaker of the country's parliament. The former president of the country in unprecedented chaos landed in Singapore from Maldives on Thursday (July 14).

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned from his post. He has e-mailed his resignation to the speaker of the country's parliament. The former president of the country in unprecedented chaos landed in Singapore from Maldives on Thursday (July 14). He had fled Sri Lanka on a military plane to go to Maldives. It is being reported that Rajapaksa e-mailed his resignation to speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament. Interestingly, Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed tweeted about Rajapaksa's resignation. He referred to Rajapaksa as 'GR' in his tweet. "President GR has resigned. I hope Sri Lanka can now move forward. I believe the President would not have resigned if he were still in Sri Lanka, and fearful of losing his life. I commend the thoughtful actions of the Govt of Maldives. My best wishes to the people of Sri Lanka," tweeted Nasheed. 🇱🇰 President GR has resigned. I hope Sri Lanka can now move forward. I believe the President would not have resigned if he were still in Sri Lanka, and fearful of losing his life. I commend the thoughtful actions of the Govt of Maldives. My best wishes to the people of Sri Lanka. — Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) July 14, 2022 × The resignation was being forwarded to the country's attorney general to consider legal implications before being formally accepted, said AFP quoting sources. Sri Lanka is currently witnessing unprecedented chaos due a major economic crisis that has seen acute shortage of food, medicine and fuel among others. There have been massive protests across the country and huge mobs of angry Sri Lankans have ransacked official residences of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and now former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. As president, Rajapaksa enjoyed immunity from arrest. He had agreed to step down in the wake of massive protests. He fled the country on Wednesday and went to Maldives. From there he flew to Singapore on Thursday. Singapore's foreign ministry confirmed Rajapaksa had been allowed to enter the city-state for a "private visit", adding: "He has not asked for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns amid turmoil in the country

The situation in Sri Lanka is dangerous. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled to the Maldives. Emergency has been imposed. A chopper was seen hovering over the protesters in Colombo today. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka: Military Chopper hovers over protesters

India has denied helping Gotabaya Rajapaksa escape to the Maldives. Foreign minister S Jaishankar says India is focused on Sri Lanka's economy and is not involved in other matters. Palki Sharma decodes India's role.

Gravitas: India denies helping Gotabaya escape

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the Maldives for Singapore a day after fleeing his home country amidst the worst economic and political crisis.

Reports: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves for Singapore from Maldives

Sri Lanka's national broadcaster SLRC also know as Jathika Rupavahini suspended live telecast on Wednesday (July 13) due to protesters surrounding its premises. The development came after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. He has appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as interim President of Sri Lanka.

A state of emergency was declared after protesters came prepared to face tear gas shelling by security forces outside Wickremesinghe's residence. A curfew has been declared in the western province of the country.

Sri Lankan opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said that the PM cannot exercise the powers of the President, and cannot declare a curfew or a state of emergency.

WION Fineprint | The rise and fall of Sri Lanka's Gotabaya Rajapaksa

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"PM becomes acting President only if the President appoints him as such, or if the office of President is vacant, or if the CJ in consultation with the Speaker forms the view that the President is unable to act," Premadasa tweeted.

"In the absence of any of these, the PM cannot exercise the powers of President, and cannot declare curfew or a state of emergency," he said in another tweet.

Tear gas shells were used to disperse protesters trying to scale the wall to enter residence of Sri Lankan PM in capital Colombo.

The crisis-hit island country`s Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that he was yet to receive resignation letter from Gotabaya.&nbsp;

"We haven`t received President Gotabaya`s resignation yet, but we hope to get one in a day," Abeywardena told ANI.

73-year-old Gotabaya Rajapaksa had gone into hiding after crowds of protestors stormed his residence on July 9 and he had announced that he will resign on July 13.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sri Lanka's national broadcaster SLRC also know as Jathika Rupavahini suspended live telecast on Wednesday (July 13) due to protesters surrounding its premises. The development came after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country.

Sri Lanka's national broadcaster SLRC also know as Jathika Rupavahini suspended live telecast on Wednesday (July 13) due to protesters surrounding its premises. The development came after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. He has appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as interim President of Sri Lanka. A state of emergency was declared after protesters came prepared to face tear gas shelling by security forces outside Wickremesinghe's residence. A curfew has been declared in the western province of the country. Sri Lankan opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said that the PM cannot exercise the powers of the President, and cannot declare a curfew or a state of emergency. WION Fineprint | The rise and fall of Sri Lanka's Gotabaya Rajapaksa × "PM becomes acting President only if the President appoints him as such, or if the office of President is vacant, or if the CJ in consultation with the Speaker forms the view that the President is unable to act," Premadasa tweeted. "In the absence of any of these, the PM cannot exercise the powers of President, and cannot declare curfew or a state of emergency," he said in another tweet. Tear gas shells were used to disperse protesters trying to scale the wall to enter residence of Sri Lankan PM in capital Colombo. The crisis-hit island country`s Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that he was yet to receive resignation letter from Gotabaya. "We haven`t received President Gotabaya`s resignation yet, but we hope to get one in a day," Abeywardena told ANI. 73-year-old Gotabaya Rajapaksa had gone into hiding after crowds of protestors stormed his residence on July 9 and he had announced that he will resign on July 13. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Sri Lanka state broadcaster stops live telecast as protests intensify

US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has called for a peaceful transfer of power within the boundaries of the country’s constitution and stated that the US condemns all forms of violence and urges that the rule of law be followed, she said in a tweet. Additionally, the US ambassador urged the political parties to cooperate in order to provide long-term political and economic stability to the country. "We urge all parties to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation and to work quickly to implement solutions that will bring long-term economic &amp; political stability,” Chung said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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(2/2) We condemn all violence &amp; call for the rule of law to be upheld. A peaceful transfer of power within SL’s democratic &amp; constitutional framework is essential so the people’s demands for accountability, transparency, democratic governance &amp; a better future can be realized.
— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbSL/status/1547232558462562304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;(2/2) We condemn all violence &amp; call for the rule of law to be upheld. A peaceful transfer of power within SL’s democratic &amp; constitutional framework is essential so the people’s demands for accountability, transparency, democratic governance &amp; a better future can be realized.&lt;/p&gt;— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/USAmbSL/status/1547232558462562304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/USAmbSL/status/1547232558462562304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;July 13, 2022&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday (July 13), after an uprising sparked by the island nation’s economic collapse, and is currently waiting to fly further to Singapore amid the crisis. The Speaker of the House announced Rajapaksa’s resignation. The president was forced to evacuate with the navy and tender his resignation after Sri Lankan protesters stormed his house and wouldn’t leave.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-state-broadcaster-stops-live-telecast-as-protests-intensify-497154">Sri Lanka state broadcaster stops live telecast as protests intensify</a>

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former prime minister of the country and current acting president, has announced a state of emergency and enforced it in the Western province. However, in the midst of Sri Lanka’s continuous unrest and crises, Wickremesinghe also declared his intention to resign from his position.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: India denies helping Gotabaya escape

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Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that he intends to run for the presidency after Rajapaksa’s resignation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-during-protests-a-picture-of-a-couple-kissing-goes-viral-497109">Sri Lanka crisis: During protests, a picture of a couple kissing goes viral</a>

Numerous stories of clashes between the Sri Lankans and police and armed forces at petrol stations have been reported, where thousands of desperate people lined up for hours and often for days, have surfaced as a result of the country’s deteriorating economic situation.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has called for a peaceful transfer of power within the boundaries of the country’s constitution and stated that the US condemns all forms of violence and urges that the rule of law be followed, she said in a tweet.

US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has called for a peaceful transfer of power within the boundaries of the country’s constitution and stated that the US condemns all forms of violence and urges that the rule of law be followed, she said in a tweet. Additionally, the US ambassador urged the political parties to cooperate in order to provide long-term political and economic stability to the country. "We urge all parties to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation and to work quickly to implement solutions that will bring long-term economic & political stability,” Chung said in a tweet. (2/2) We condemn all violence & call for the rule of law to be upheld. A peaceful transfer of power within SL’s democratic & constitutional framework is essential so the people’s demands for accountability, transparency, democratic governance & a better future can be realized. — Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) July 13, 2022 × Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday (July 13), after an uprising sparked by the island nation’s economic collapse, and is currently waiting to fly further to Singapore amid the crisis. The Speaker of the House announced Rajapaksa’s resignation. The president was forced to evacuate with the navy and tender his resignation after Sri Lankan protesters stormed his house and wouldn’t leave. Also read | Sri Lanka state broadcaster stops live telecast as protests intensify Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former prime minister of the country and current acting president, has announced a state of emergency and enforced it in the Western province. However, in the midst of Sri Lanka’s continuous unrest and crises, Wickremesinghe also declared his intention to resign from his position. Watch | Gravitas: India denies helping Gotabaya escape Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that he intends to run for the presidency after Rajapaksa’s resignation. Also read | Sri Lanka crisis: During protests, a picture of a couple kissing goes viral Numerous stories of clashes between the Sri Lankans and police and armed forces at petrol stations have been reported, where thousands of desperate people lined up for hours and often for days, have surfaced as a result of the country’s deteriorating economic situation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka crisis: US demands peaceful transfer of power as per constitution

Sri Lanka: Civil war hero ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ overthrown by the protesters amid crisis

Known as "The Terminator" for his ruthless crushing of the LTTE to end a decades-long civil war, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's rule is drawing to a close with him a fugitive and his island's economy in ruins. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

WION Fineprint | The rise and fall of Sri Lanka's Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Protesters in Sri Lanka defied tear gas, water cannon and a state of emergency to storm the prime minister's office on Wednesday after the president fled overseas. Molly Gambhir and Dasuni Athauda tell you how the day unfolded into chaos.

WION Fineprint | Sri Lankan protesters storm PM's office

From Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing amid economic crisis to NASA telescoping images of universe, here are some impactful images from around the world on July 12, 2022.

World in Pictures: Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees; NASA telescope’s images of universe

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the country's acting President after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives.

Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe takes over as acting President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa & his brother Basil Rajapaksa tried to leave Sri Lanka. Reports claim - immigration officials stopped them from boarding their flights. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Gotabaya Rajapaksa "desperate" to leave Sri Lanka

Police and military forces used tear gas to disperse a growing crowd outside the office of Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, who was the top leader in the country after the President fled. Protesters tried to push through the gates of the office of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka: Police uses tear gas to disperse protesters as crowds swell

Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives as protesters took to the country’s streets. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered a curfew in the country’s Western Province.

Emergency imposed in Sri Lanka after President Gotabaya fled the country

Amid the widespread protests over the country's worst economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew out of the country early Wednesday in a military plane heading to the neighbouring Maldives, news agency AFP reported, quoting local officials. News agencies confirmed that he landed in the Maldives.&nbsp;

The 73-year-old leader, his wife and a bodyguard were among four passengers on board an Antonov-32 aircraft which took off from the main international airport, said the immigration officials.&nbsp;

"Their passports were stamped and they boarded the special air force flight," an immigration official involved in the process told AFP.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka economic crisis&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods.&nbsp;

In a dramatic turn of events on July 9, hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel.&nbsp;

Protesters forced Rajapaksa to agree to resign. After that, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said he would step down to allow an all-party interim government to take over.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker said on Monday (July 11) that the country's parliament will reconvene on July 15 and a new president will be elected on July 20. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning to resign on Wednesday as the South Asian nation continues to face its worse economic crisis.&nbsp;

In a statement, speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the nominations for the next president will be presented to parliament on 19 July. On 20 July parliament will vote to elect a new president.&nbsp;

Abeywardena said, "During the party leaders' meeting held today, it was agreed that this was essential to ensure a new all-party government is in place in accordance with the Constitution and to take forward essential services."&nbsp;

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Amid the widespread protests over the country's worst economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew out of the country early Wednesday in a military plane heading to the neighbouring Maldives, news agency AFP reported, quoting local officials.

Amid the widespread protests over the country's worst economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew out of the country early Wednesday in a military plane heading to the neighbouring Maldives, news agency AFP reported, quoting local officials. News agencies confirmed that he landed in the Maldives. The 73-year-old leader, his wife and a bodyguard were among four passengers on board an Antonov-32 aircraft which took off from the main international airport, said the immigration officials. "Their passports were stamped and they boarded the special air force flight," an immigration official involved in the process told AFP. Sri Lanka economic crisis Sri Lanka has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. In a dramatic turn of events on July 9, hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. Protesters forced Rajapaksa to agree to resign. After that, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said he would step down to allow an all-party interim government to take over. Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker said on Monday (July 11) that the country's parliament will reconvene on July 15 and a new president will be elected on July 20. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning to resign on Wednesday as the South Asian nation continues to face its worse economic crisis. In a statement, speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the nominations for the next president will be presented to parliament on 19 July. On 20 July parliament will vote to elect a new president. Abeywardena said, "During the party leaders' meeting held today, it was agreed that this was essential to ensure a new all-party government is in place in accordance with the Constitution and to take forward essential services." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flies out of country, lands in Maldives

Today may be the last night of the Sri Lanka protests as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to resign tomorrow.

Sri Lanka Crisis: Protesters to head home after Rajapaksa resigns

Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was stuck in his own country on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration staff blocking his exit to safety abroad. WION's Dasuni Athauda brings you more insights.

Reports: Immigration standoff prevents Gotabaya Rajapaksa from leaving Sri Lanka

A people's uprising has forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. The protesters at the Presidential Palace want him to resign immediately. Palki Sharma brings you the top 5 videos - that describe the state of affairs in Sri Lanka.

Gravitas: Did Gotabaya Rajapaksa flee Sri Lanka on a ship?

In June, a few dozen activists started meeting regularly at a seaside tented camp in Colombo for hours-long sessions to think up ways to revive Sri Lanka`s flagging protest movement. 
 
The group, which included a Catholic priest, a digital strategist and a popular playwright, succeeded beyond their wildest hopes. 
 
Within weeks, hundreds of thousands of people descended on Colombo. After initially clashing with police, protesters occupied key government buildings and residences, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his prime minister to promise to step down. 
 
"I`m still trying to process it," said Chameera Dedduwage, a digital strategist at a major advertising firm who became part of the team that helped organise the uprising. 
 
"It was 50 percent premeditation and coordination, another 30 percent willingness of the people and 20 percent luck." 
 
In interviews, veterans of those small meetings described how they agreed on a multi-pronged campaign to inject new life into the movement widely known as "Aragalaya", or "struggle" in Sinhala. 
 
The movement had begun in March, when thousands took to the streets to vent their anger at lengthy power cuts and spiralling prices, and to call for the Rajapaksa family that had dominated the country`s politics for much of the last 20 years to leave power. 
 
On May 9, Rajapaksa`s elder brother Mahinda - president from 2005-2015 and at that time serving as prime minister - had stepped down. On June 9, younger brother Basil had quit as a lawmaker. 
 
So, the Aragalaya activists targeted July 9 as the day they hoped to unseat the president himself. 
 
A plan emerged to combine online agitation, meetings with political parties, labour unions and student groups and door-to-door campaigning to get enough people back on the streets for a final push, according to the three attendees. 
 
Public frustration at ongoing shortages, which has brought the economy to a standstill, and the president`s stubborn refusal to step aside, had been simmering for weeks. 
 
Riding on trains, buses, lorries and bicycles, or simply walking, huge crowds converged on Colombo on Saturday, outnumbering security forces deployed to protect government buildings and upending Sri Lankan politics. 
 
"Gota Go Home!" the crowds chanted in Colombo`s Fort area, seething over the country`s worst economic crisis since independence. 
 
They quickly broke into the president`s colonial-era house, before storming a portion of the presidential office and entering the prime minister`s official residence 2.5 km (1.6 miles) away. 
 
Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had been moved to undisclosed safe locations, and within hours they separately announced they would resign to allow an all-party interim government to take over. 
 
If he resigns on Wednesday as promised, Rajapaksa, once a war hero who was both revered and feared, will become the first sitting Sri Lankan president to quit. 
 
"I think it is the most unprecedented gathering in this country. Full stop," Ruwanthie de Chickera, a playwright who is part of the core group of Aragalaya activists, told Reuters. 
 
Representatives of the president and prime minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the protests and why they stepped aside. Their whereabouts have not been made public. 
 
'EVERYONE ON BOARD' 
 
Sri Lanka has around 5 million households and 8 million active Facebook accounts, making online outreach an extremely effective way to reach demonstrators, said Dedduwage, the digital strategist. 
 
"Which means basically through Facebook, we can practically reach every corner of the country at no cost," Dedduwage told Reuters, sitting at a tent at "Gota Go Village", the main Colombo protest site that mockingly refers to the president. 
 
In early July, one of those who received the group`s social media messages was Sathya Charith Amaratunge, a marketing professional living in Moratuwa, some 20 km from Colombo, who had taken part in earlier anti-government protests. 
 
The 35-year-old took a poster he received via WhatsApp on July 2 that read "The Country to Colombo, July 9" in Sinhala, and uploaded it on his personal Facebook page. 
 
That night he began preparing a campaign that would eventually see tens of thousands of people join him on a march to Colombo. 
 
Other Aragalaya members reached out directly to opposition political parties, trade unions and student unions, including the influential Inter University Students` Federation (IUSF), in order to bolster support, according to Dedduwage. 
 
One of Sri Lanka`s largest student groups, the IUSF has a reputation for its political agitation and clashed with security forces during recent protests, dismantling police barricades amid teargas and water cannon. 
 
The Aragalaya group also asked volunteers to visit thousands of homes across parts of Colombo, including middle-class government housing estates, some within walking distance of the main protest site. 
 
To bring people in from outside the city, activists appealed to more than 30 "Gota Go Village" sites that had sprung up in towns and cities across the country. 
 
Late on July 8, police declared a curfew in several districts around Colombo, which activists said was aimed at stalling the planned protest. Police said the move was to maintain public order. Some core group members swiftly moved to safe houses, fearing arrest. 
 
Jeevanth Peiris, a Catholic priest who is part of the activist group, worried that only a few thousand people would turn up the next day because of the restrictions. Fuel shortages had curtailed transport options for weeks. 
 
"We honestly expected only 10,000 with all these restrictions, all this intimidation," he told Reuters, dressed in a white cassock. "We thought 5,000 to 10,000." 
 
'PEOPLE DIDN`T WANT TO GIVE UP' 
 
Early on July 9, marketing professional Amaratunge said he started off on foot from Moratuwa with around 2,000 fellow protesters, about the size of group he had expected after a week of sharing posts on Facebook and WhatsApp. 
 
It was only when he left his hometown that Amaratunge said he realised how many people wanted to go to Colombo. Many had been angered by the curfew, which the police withdrew early on Saturday. 
 
In multiple Facebook livestreams posted by Amaratunge on Saturday, several hundred people can be seen strolling down the main road to Colombo, some holding the national flag. 
 
By Amaratunge`s estimate, tens of thousands eventually joined the march he was on, and reached Colombo`s fort area. According to a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the crowd there swelled to at least 200,000 people. 
 
Members of the Aragalaya core group said several times that number took part, as wave upon wave of people arrived in Colombo and marched towards the main protest site. 
 
Organisers had roughly calculated that it would take around 10,000 people to overpower personnel guarding each of the four entry points to the president`s house, Dedduwage said. 
 
In the early afternoon, after dismantling police barricades and commandeering water cannon, protesters took apart the tall gates guarding the president`s house and overwhelmed a large deployment of security forces. 
 
By night, Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe`s official residences were occupied by protesters, who uprooted fences outside the presidential secretariat and took over a part of it. Wickremesinghe`s personal residence was attacked and a section of it set alight. 
 
Within hours, the leaders were ready to go. 
 
"There were so many elderly, teenagers, youth, women," recalled Peiris, the priest, who said he was part of clashes with police. 
 
"People didn`t want to give up, didn`t want to withdraw." 
&nbsp;

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In June, a few dozen activists started meeting regularly at a seaside tented camp in Colombo for hours-long sessions to think up ways to revive Sri Lanka`s flagging protest movement.

In June, a few dozen activists started meeting regularly at a seaside tented camp in Colombo for hours-long sessions to think up ways to revive Sri Lanka`s flagging protest movement. The group, which included a Catholic priest, a digital strategist and a popular playwright, succeeded beyond their wildest hopes. Within weeks, hundreds of thousands of people descended on Colombo. After initially clashing with police, protesters occupied key government buildings and residences, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his prime minister to promise to step down. "I`m still trying to process it," said Chameera Dedduwage, a digital strategist at a major advertising firm who became part of the team that helped organise the uprising. "It was 50 percent premeditation and coordination, another 30 percent willingness of the people and 20 percent luck." In interviews, veterans of those small meetings described how they agreed on a multi-pronged campaign to inject new life into the movement widely known as "Aragalaya", or "struggle" in Sinhala. The movement had begun in March, when thousands took to the streets to vent their anger at lengthy power cuts and spiralling prices, and to call for the Rajapaksa family that had dominated the country`s politics for much of the last 20 years to leave power. On May 9, Rajapaksa`s elder brother Mahinda - president from 2005-2015 and at that time serving as prime minister - had stepped down. On June 9, younger brother Basil had quit as a lawmaker. So, the Aragalaya activists targeted July 9 as the day they hoped to unseat the president himself. A plan emerged to combine online agitation, meetings with political parties, labour unions and student groups and door-to-door campaigning to get enough people back on the streets for a final push, according to the three attendees. Public frustration at ongoing shortages, which has brought the economy to a standstill, and the president`s stubborn refusal to step aside, had been simmering for weeks. Riding on trains, buses, lorries and bicycles, or simply walking, huge crowds converged on Colombo on Saturday, outnumbering security forces deployed to protect government buildings and upending Sri Lankan politics. "Gota Go Home!" the crowds chanted in Colombo`s Fort area, seething over the country`s worst economic crisis since independence. They quickly broke into the president`s colonial-era house, before storming a portion of the presidential office and entering the prime minister`s official residence 2.5 km (1.6 miles) away. Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had been moved to undisclosed safe locations, and within hours they separately announced they would resign to allow an all-party interim government to take over. If he resigns on Wednesday as promised, Rajapaksa, once a war hero who was both revered and feared, will become the first sitting Sri Lankan president to quit. "I think it is the most unprecedented gathering in this country. Full stop," Ruwanthie de Chickera, a playwright who is part of the core group of Aragalaya activists, told Reuters. Representatives of the president and prime minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the protests and why they stepped aside. Their whereabouts have not been made public. 'EVERYONE ON BOARD' Sri Lanka has around 5 million households and 8 million active Facebook accounts, making online outreach an extremely effective way to reach demonstrators, said Dedduwage, the digital strategist. "Which means basically through Facebook, we can practically reach every corner of the country at no cost," Dedduwage told Reuters, sitting at a tent at "Gota Go Village", the main Colombo protest site that mockingly refers to the president. In early July, one of those who received the group`s social media messages was Sathya Charith Amaratunge, a marketing professional living in Moratuwa, some 20 km from Colombo, who had taken part in earlier anti-government protests. The 35-year-old took a poster he received via WhatsApp on July 2 that read "The Country to Colombo, July 9" in Sinhala, and uploaded it on his personal Facebook page. That night he began preparing a campaign that would eventually see tens of thousands of people join him on a march to Colombo. Other Aragalaya members reached out directly to opposition political parties, trade unions and student unions, including the influential Inter University Students` Federation (IUSF), in order to bolster support, according to Dedduwage. One of Sri Lanka`s largest student groups, the IUSF has a reputation for its political agitation and clashed with security forces during recent protests, dismantling police barricades amid teargas and water cannon. The Aragalaya group also asked volunteers to visit thousands of homes across parts of Colombo, including middle-class government housing estates, some within walking distance of the main protest site. To bring people in from outside the city, activists appealed to more than 30 "Gota Go Village" sites that had sprung up in towns and cities across the country. Late on July 8, police declared a curfew in several districts around Colombo, which activists said was aimed at stalling the planned protest. Police said the move was to maintain public order. Some core group members swiftly moved to safe houses, fearing arrest. Jeevanth Peiris, a Catholic priest who is part of the activist group, worried that only a few thousand people would turn up the next day because of the restrictions. Fuel shortages had curtailed transport options for weeks. "We honestly expected only 10,000 with all these restrictions, all this intimidation," he told Reuters, dressed in a white cassock. "We thought 5,000 to 10,000." 'PEOPLE DIDN`T WANT TO GIVE UP' Early on July 9, marketing professional Amaratunge said he started off on foot from Moratuwa with around 2,000 fellow protesters, about the size of group he had expected after a week of sharing posts on Facebook and WhatsApp. It was only when he left his hometown that Amaratunge said he realised how many people wanted to go to Colombo. Many had been angered by the curfew, which the police withdrew early on Saturday. In multiple Facebook livestreams posted by Amaratunge on Saturday, several hundred people can be seen strolling down the main road to Colombo, some holding the national flag. By Amaratunge`s estimate, tens of thousands eventually joined the march he was on, and reached Colombo`s fort area. According to a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the crowd there swelled to at least 200,000 people. Members of the Aragalaya core group said several times that number took part, as wave upon wave of people arrived in Colombo and marched towards the main protest site. Organisers had roughly calculated that it would take around 10,000 people to overpower personnel guarding each of the four entry points to the president`s house, Dedduwage said. In the early afternoon, after dismantling police barricades and commandeering water cannon, protesters took apart the tall gates guarding the president`s house and overwhelmed a large deployment of security forces. By night, Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe`s official residences were occupied by protesters, who uprooted fences outside the presidential secretariat and took over a part of it. Wickremesinghe`s personal residence was attacked and a section of it set alight. Within hours, the leaders were ready to go. "There were so many elderly, teenagers, youth, women," recalled Peiris, the priest, who said he was part of clashes with police. "People didn`t want to give up, didn`t want to withdraw." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How a band of activists helped bring down Sri Lanka's government

Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lankan opposition leader, said he plans to run for president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa stands down. This comes after his Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party undertook consultations with its allies to secure support for this action. During an interview with the BBC, Premadasa stated that his party and allies concurred that he should "submit my nomination for the position of the leadership." The speaker of parliament declared that legislators would elect the country’s new leader in place of Rajapaksa on July 20, BBC reported.

Premadasa lost the 2019 presidential race and would require the backing of MPs to win. Earlier, the leader of SJB was offered the position of prime minister in April, but he declined, drawing criticism. Ranil Wickremesinghe, his rival, was appointed but said he will also step down to create room for a unity administration.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/long-queues-in-sri-lanka-as-fuel-supplies-resume-after-weekend-of-tumultuous-anti-government-protests-496577">Long queues in Sri Lanka, as fuel supplies resume after weekend of tumultuous anti-government protests</a>

The SJB leader described the current situation&nbsp;in Sri Lanka as "confused, uncertainty and total anarchy", saying it needs "consensus, consultation, compromise, and coming togetherness."

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka economic crunch: Citizens try to flee country amid crisis

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Premadasa acknowledged the situation, saying there are no easy solutions to this. He added that his party has an economic strategy to get the nation out of this situation and that it would take four to five years to get the economy back on track like in 2019.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-a-band-of-activists-helped-bring-down-sri-lankas-government-496522">How a band of activists helped bring down Sri Lanka's government</a>

Premadasa said, "We are not going to hoodwink the people. We are going, to be frank and present a plan to get rid of Sri Lanka's economic ills."

However, the protesters in Colombo’s Galle Face claim that all the 255 members of the parliament are equally responsible for the current state of the country and demand a new beginning with young and dynamic politicians taking over.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lankan opposition leader, said he plans to run for president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa stands down. This comes after his Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party undertook consultations with its allies to secure support for this action.

Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lankan opposition leader, said he plans to run for president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa stands down. This comes after his Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party undertook consultations with its allies to secure support for this action. During an interview with the BBC, Premadasa stated that his party and allies concurred that he should "submit my nomination for the position of the leadership." The speaker of parliament declared that legislators would elect the country’s new leader in place of Rajapaksa on July 20, BBC reported. Premadasa lost the 2019 presidential race and would require the backing of MPs to win. Earlier, the leader of SJB was offered the position of prime minister in April, but he declined, drawing criticism. Ranil Wickremesinghe, his rival, was appointed but said he will also step down to create room for a unity administration. Also read | Long queues in Sri Lanka, as fuel supplies resume after weekend of tumultuous anti-government protests The SJB leader described the current situation in Sri Lanka as "confused, uncertainty and total anarchy", saying it needs "consensus, consultation, compromise, and coming togetherness." Watch | Sri Lanka economic crunch: Citizens try to flee country amid crisis Premadasa acknowledged the situation, saying there are no easy solutions to this. He added that his party has an economic strategy to get the nation out of this situation and that it would take four to five years to get the economy back on track like in 2019. Also read | How a band of activists helped bring down Sri Lanka's government Premadasa said, "We are not going to hoodwink the people. We are going, to be frank and present a plan to get rid of Sri Lanka's economic ills." However, the protesters in Colombo’s Galle Face claim that all the 255 members of the parliament are equally responsible for the current state of the country and demand a new beginning with young and dynamic politicians taking over. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka in crisis: Sajith Premadasa ready to run for president when Rajapaksa steps down

Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker said on Monday (July 11) that the country's parliament will reconvene on July 15 and a new president will be elected on July 20.

Sri Lankan parliamentary speaker said on Monday (July 11) that the country's parliament will reconvene on July 15 and a new president will be elected on July 20. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning to resign on Wednesday as the South Asian nation continues to face its worse economic crisis. In a statement, speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the nominations for the next president will be presented to parliament on 19 July. On 20 July parliament will vote to elect a new president. Abeywardena said, "During the party leaders' meeting held today, it was agreed that this was essential to ensure a new all-party government is in place in accordance with the Constitution and to take forward essential services." Sri Lanka in crisis Sri Lanka has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. The magnitude of the protests changed on Saturday (July 9) as hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. Protesters forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to agree to resign. After that, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said he would step down to allow an all-party interim government to take over. What will happen next? Sri Lanka's constitution dictates that should a president resign, the country's prime minister will assume the role. But incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he too will stand down. It was therefore likely that the parliament speaker, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, will assume temporary charge of the country, until lawmakers elect a new president to complete the rest of Rajapaksa's term, due to end in 2024, said constitutional expert Jayadeva Uyangoda. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka economic crisis: Parliament to elect new president on July 20

The embattled president of Sri Lanka was reportedly stranded in his own nation on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration officials who were preventing his escape to safety overseas. Following widespread protests against him over the nation's unparalleled economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pledged to step down on Wednesday and pave the way for a "peaceful transition of power."

The 73-year-old leader wanted to travel to Dubai and left his official mansion in Colombo shortly before tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied it on Saturday, according to officials.

Rajapaksa is said to want to leave the country before resigning in order to avoid the risk of being arrested because he is immune from arrest in his capacity as president. However, immigration officials were refusing to stamp his passport in the VIP suite while he said he would not use the public restrooms out of fear of retaliation from other airport travellers.

After missing four planes that could have brought them to the United Arab Emirates, the president and his wife spent the night at a military base close to the main international airport.

The youngest brother of Rajapaksa and the former finance minister, missed his own early-morning Tuesday Emirates flight to Dubai due to a similar altercation with airport personnel.

Watch: Sri Lanka's economic and political crisis: No consensus over next President's name

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When Basil attempted to employ the paid business traveller concierge service, airport and immigration staff informed him that they were discontinuing the fast track service with immediate effect.

An airport representative told AFP that "several other passengers objected to Basil boarding their flight." "He hastily departed the airport because it was a difficult scene."

A diplomatic source said that Basil, a US dual citizen, had to obtain a new passport after leaving his behind at the presidential palace when the Rajapaksas beat a hasty retreat to avoid mobs on Saturday, a diplomatic source said.

According to official reports, Rs 17.85 million&nbsp;in cash and a suitcase packed with documents were also left behind at the regal home. These items are currently in the possession of a Colombo court.

He was still the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and had access to military resources, but the president's administration had not made any official announcement concerning his whereabouts.

According to a defence source, he may still use a navy ship to travel to India or the Maldives.

If Rajapaksa fulfils his vow to resign, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister, will automatically take over as president until the parliament chooses a member of parliament to complete Rajapaksa's term, which expires in November 2024.

Rajapaksa is charged with mismanaging the economy to the extent that the nation lacks foreign currency to pay for even the most basic imports, causing extreme misery for the 22 million people living there.

Sri Lanka is in discussions with the IMF for a potential rescue after defaulting on its $51 billion in foreign debt in April.

The island's already limited gasoline supplies are almost gone. To cut down on commuting and save gasoline, the government has mandated the shutdown of non-essential offices and schools. 
&nbsp;

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The embattled president of Sri Lanka was reportedly stranded in his own nation on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration officials who were preventing his escape to safety overseas.

The embattled president of Sri Lanka was reportedly stranded in his own nation on Tuesday in a humiliating standoff with airport immigration officials who were preventing his escape to safety overseas. Following widespread protests against him over the nation's unparalleled economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pledged to step down on Wednesday and pave the way for a "peaceful transition of power." The 73-year-old leader wanted to travel to Dubai and left his official mansion in Colombo shortly before tens of thousands of demonstrators occupied it on Saturday, according to officials. Rajapaksa is said to want to leave the country before resigning in order to avoid the risk of being arrested because he is immune from arrest in his capacity as president. However, immigration officials were refusing to stamp his passport in the VIP suite while he said he would not use the public restrooms out of fear of retaliation from other airport travellers. After missing four planes that could have brought them to the United Arab Emirates, the president and his wife spent the night at a military base close to the main international airport. The youngest brother of Rajapaksa and the former finance minister, missed his own early-morning Tuesday Emirates flight to Dubai due to a similar altercation with airport personnel. Watch: Sri Lanka's economic and political crisis: No consensus over next President's name When Basil attempted to employ the paid business traveller concierge service, airport and immigration staff informed him that they were discontinuing the fast track service with immediate effect. An airport representative told AFP that "several other passengers objected to Basil boarding their flight." "He hastily departed the airport because it was a difficult scene." A diplomatic source said that Basil, a US dual citizen, had to obtain a new passport after leaving his behind at the presidential palace when the Rajapaksas beat a hasty retreat to avoid mobs on Saturday, a diplomatic source said. According to official reports, Rs 17.85 million in cash and a suitcase packed with documents were also left behind at the regal home. These items are currently in the possession of a Colombo court. He was still the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and had access to military resources, but the president's administration had not made any official announcement concerning his whereabouts. According to a defence source, he may still use a navy ship to travel to India or the Maldives. If Rajapaksa fulfils his vow to resign, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister, will automatically take over as president until the parliament chooses a member of parliament to complete Rajapaksa's term, which expires in November 2024. Rajapaksa is charged with mismanaging the economy to the extent that the nation lacks foreign currency to pay for even the most basic imports, causing extreme misery for the 22 million people living there. Sri Lanka is in discussions with the IMF for a potential rescue after defaulting on its $51 billion in foreign debt in April. The island's already limited gasoline supplies are almost gone. To cut down on commuting and save gasoline, the government has mandated the shutdown of non-essential offices and schools. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankan President stopped from fleeing the crisis-hit nation by airport staff

Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look!

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of angry people gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, calling for the government to accept responsibility for the country's dire state. Faced with an angry mob, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agreed to tender his resignation. First&nbsp;in line to succeed him, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also declared his willingness to resign in order to create a unity government. This marked the conclusion of months of anti-government demonstrations sparked by a severe economic crisis that bankrupted the island nation in South Asia and rage over the corruption of the governing Rajapaksa clan.&nbsp;For months the 22 million people island nation has seen its worst economic crisis on record, with months-long blackouts, severe food and fuel shortages, and soaring inflation.

Here is a recap of how the crisis developed:

April 1: After a wave of protests, Rajapaksa proclaims a brief state of emergency, allowing security personnel broad authority to detain and arrest suspects.

Watch |&nbsp;Reports: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign

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April 3: At a late-night meeting, almost the entire cabinet of Sri Lanka resigns, leaving Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, the prime minister, isolated.

After resisting calls to request a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the governor of the central bank announces his resignation the next day.

April 5: Ali Sabry, the finance minister, steps down just one day after being appointed.

As former allies call for Rajapaksa to resign, the embattled leader loses his parliamentary majority. He lifts the state of emergency.

April 10: Doctors in Sri Lanka claim to be running out on life-saving medications and issue a dire warning that the crisis may kill more people than the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/video-protesters-attack-sri-lanka-prime-ministers-house-set-it-on-fire-police-495947">Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police</a>

April 12: After running out of foreign currency, as a "last resort," the government declares default on its $51 billion in international debt to acquire critically needed products.

April 19: A demonstrator is killed by police, the first casualty of several weeks of anti-government unrest.

The IMF asserts the next day that before a rescue package can be agreed upon, Sri Lanka must restructure its enormous external debt.

May 9: Peaceful demonstrators camped outside the president's beachside office in Colombo are attacked by a mob of government supporters who have been bussed in from the countryside.

In the retaliatory attacks that follow, nine people are killed and hundreds more are hurt.&nbsp;

After tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounded his Colombo home, Mahinda Rajapaksa is&nbsp;forced to quit as prime minister and&nbsp;Ranil Wickremesinghe takes his place.

May 10: Anyone engaged in looting or "causing harm to life" to be shot at sight, orders&nbsp;defence ministry.&nbsp;Despite a new government curfew, which is lifted at the end of the week, protesters continue to demonstrate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-to-resign-on-july-13-speaker-495972">Sri Lanka economic crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 13 — Speaker</a>

June 10: The UN warns that millions of people in Sri Lanka are&nbsp;already in need of assistance due to a&nbsp;dire humanitarian crisis.

June 27: The government says Sri Lanka is nearly out of fuel and halts all petrol sales except for essential services.&nbsp;

July 1: A day after the IMF asks Sri Lanka to rein in high prices and galloping inflation, the government&nbsp;releases data indicating inflation has reached a record high for the ninth consecutive month.

July 9: Shortly before protesters attack the property, President Rajapaksa escapes his official residence in Colombo with the aid of troops. He is then transferred to an undisclosed location offshore.

The home of Wickremesinghe is set on fire.&nbsp;

Mahinda Abeywardana, the speaker of the parliament, makes a televised address after Rajapaksa later agrees to resign on July 13. Wickremesinghe also offers his resignation.

July 10:&nbsp;Calm has since returned to Colombo, the country's commercial centre, but the scene at the presidential palace, which had been overtaken gets chaotic. Videos of people enjoying Rajapaksa's pool, and gym, and using his&nbsp;bed for wrestling have surfaced.

July 11: The day after the Sri Lankan President and the Prime minister announced their resignations, leaving the country in political limbo, protest leaders in Sri Lanka vowed that they would occupy the president's and prime minister's homes until they formally resigned.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of angry people gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, calling for the government to accept responsibility for the country's dire state.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of angry people gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, calling for the government to accept responsibility for the country's dire state. Faced with an angry mob, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa agreed to tender his resignation. First in line to succeed him, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also declared his willingness to resign in order to create a unity government. This marked the conclusion of months of anti-government demonstrations sparked by a severe economic crisis that bankrupted the island nation in South Asia and rage over the corruption of the governing Rajapaksa clan. For months the 22 million people island nation has seen its worst economic crisis on record, with months-long blackouts, severe food and fuel shortages, and soaring inflation. Here is a recap of how the crisis developed: April 1: After a wave of protests, Rajapaksa proclaims a brief state of emergency, allowing security personnel broad authority to detain and arrest suspects. Watch | Reports: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign April 3: At a late-night meeting, almost the entire cabinet of Sri Lanka resigns, leaving Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, the prime minister, isolated. After resisting calls to request a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the governor of the central bank announces his resignation the next day. April 5: Ali Sabry, the finance minister, steps down just one day after being appointed. As former allies call for Rajapaksa to resign, the embattled leader loses his parliamentary majority. He lifts the state of emergency. April 10: Doctors in Sri Lanka claim to be running out on life-saving medications and issue a dire warning that the crisis may kill more people than the coronavirus pandemic. Also read | Video: Protesters attack Sri Lanka prime minister's house, set it on fire — Police April 12: After running out of foreign currency, as a "last resort," the government declares default on its $51 billion in international debt to acquire critically needed products. April 19: A demonstrator is killed by police, the first casualty of several weeks of anti-government unrest. The IMF asserts the next day that before a rescue package can be agreed upon, Sri Lanka must restructure its enormous external debt. May 9: Peaceful demonstrators camped outside the president's beachside office in Colombo are attacked by a mob of government supporters who have been bussed in from the countryside. In the retaliatory attacks that follow, nine people are killed and hundreds more are hurt. After tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounded his Colombo home, Mahinda Rajapaksa is forced to quit as prime minister and Ranil Wickremesinghe takes his place. May 10: Anyone engaged in looting or "causing harm to life" to be shot at sight, orders defence ministry. Despite a new government curfew, which is lifted at the end of the week, protesters continue to demonstrate. Also read | Sri Lanka economic crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign on July 13 — Speaker June 10: The UN warns that millions of people in Sri Lanka are already in need of assistance due to a dire humanitarian crisis. June 27: The government says Sri Lanka is nearly out of fuel and halts all petrol sales except for essential services. July 1: A day after the IMF asks Sri Lanka to rein in high prices and galloping inflation, the government releases data indicating inflation has reached a record high for the ninth consecutive month. July 9: Shortly before protesters attack the property, President Rajapaksa escapes his official residence in Colombo with the aid of troops. He is then transferred to an undisclosed location offshore. The home of Wickremesinghe is set on fire. Mahinda Abeywardana, the speaker of the parliament, makes a televised address after Rajapaksa later agrees to resign on July 13. Wickremesinghe also offers his resignation. July 10: Calm has since returned to Colombo, the country's commercial centre, but the scene at the presidential palace, which had been overtaken gets chaotic. Videos of people enjoying Rajapaksa's pool, and gym, and using his bed for wrestling have surfaced. July 11: The day after the Sri Lankan President and the Prime minister announced their resignations, leaving the country in political limbo, protest leaders in Sri Lanka vowed that they would occupy the president's and prime minister's homes until they formally resigned. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

As Sri Lankan protestors overtake President Rajapaksa's official residence, here's a timeline of the chaos

Sri Lanka's main Opposition parties officially came to an agreement to form an all-party interim government up on the much-anticipated resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on July 13.

Sri Lanka's opposition agrees to form interim govt amid President Rajapaksa's upcoming resignation

Sri Lanka's main Opposition parties agreed to form an all-party interim government after the anticipated resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday.

Sri Lankan opposition plans interim government after President Rajapaksa's resignation

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka is the worst it has experienced since becoming independent. Common people are on the streets protesting against the government's failure to address the crisis. After chaos and unrest, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has finally agreed to step down on 13 July 2022.

How Sri Lanka will elect a new President after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's exit?

Turning to books as ‘weapons’ of change, Sri Lankan protesters have installed a makeshift library at the presidential secretariat in Colombo.

At the entrance of the library hangs a signboard that reads: “Books are the greatest weapon in the People’s Revolution.”

The idea of the library came from a social media post in which the idea of bringing books to the protest was shared, according to one of the library’s first volunteers Ashan Vimukthi.

He told Arab News that “What we felt was that mainstream media and politicians had taken control of people’s minds and were influencing their thoughts. Our goal is to free people from those influences.”

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“If we can get people to start thinking on their own, that would be one of our greatest victories,” he added.

Although the library is makeshift but it is well-run as well as organised and has received over 30,000 books from donations.

“We even had a guy come and make bookshelves for us,” Vimukthi said.

“We had posted on social media about how some of the books had got wet in the rain, and a man spend his own money on pallets, brought them here, and quickly built us a few bookshelves and left.”

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/protesters-celebrate-in-sri-lankas-ransacked-president-palace-take-a-look-496286" hreflang="en">Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look!</a>

Borrowers are requested to replace it with another book even though they can be borrowed without registration.

After storming his home, Sri Lankan protesters refused to budge from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence which forced him to flee with the navy and announce his resignation.

In hopes of spurring defiance through reading, youngsters in Sri Lanka had set up a library at the main protest site as well. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Turning to books as ‘weapons’ of change, Sri Lankan protesters have installed a makeshift library at the presidential secretariat in Colombo. At the entrance of the library hangs a signboard that reads: “Books are the greatest weapon in the People’s Revolution.

Turning to books as ‘weapons’ of change, Sri Lankan protesters have installed a makeshift library at the presidential secretariat in Colombo. At the entrance of the library hangs a signboard that reads: “Books are the greatest weapon in the People’s Revolution.” The idea of the library came from a social media post in which the idea of bringing books to the protest was shared, according to one of the library’s first volunteers Ashan Vimukthi. He told Arab News that “What we felt was that mainstream media and politicians had taken control of people’s minds and were influencing their thoughts. Our goal is to free people from those influences.” × “If we can get people to start thinking on their own, that would be one of our greatest victories,” he added. Although the library is makeshift but it is well-run as well as organised and has received over 30,000 books from donations. “We even had a guy come and make bookshelves for us,” Vimukthi said. “We had posted on social media about how some of the books had got wet in the rain, and a man spend his own money on pallets, brought them here, and quickly built us a few bookshelves and left.” Also see | Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look! Borrowers are requested to replace it with another book even though they can be borrowed without registration. After storming his home, Sri Lankan protesters refused to budge from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence which forced him to flee with the navy and announce his resignation. In hopes of spurring defiance through reading, youngsters in Sri Lanka had set up a library at the main protest site as well. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Sri Lankans make temporary library at presidential secretariat to turn books as ‘weapons’ of change

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top defence source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP has confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, has fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound.&nbsp;The insider claimed that the president was "escorted to safety," and that troops had fired shots into the air to keep mobs of enraged people from storming the President's Palace. In one&nbsp;of the largest anti-government demonstrations in the troubled country this year, tens of thousands of protesters broke through police barricades to attack the president's official residence.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood

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The protesters poured into Colombo's government district, yelling anti-presidential chants and tearing down multiple police barricades to get to Rajapaksa's home, reports Reuters citing a witness present at the scene.&nbsp;The witness claimed that despite police shooting rounds in the air, the enraged mob continued to surround the presidential palace.

According to a video from the local TV news NewsFirst channel, several demonstrators burst into the president's mansion while brandishing helmets and Sri Lankan flags.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/crisis-hit-nearly-6-million-sri-lankans-experience-food-insecurity-as-inflation-rises-495155">Sri Lanka in crisis: Nearly 6 million experience food insecurity as inflation rises</a>

The 22 million-population&nbsp;island is experiencing the biggest financial instability in seven decades as a result of a severe foreign exchange shortage that has restricted imports of fuel, food, and medicine.

President Gotabaya and the Rajapaksa clan is has been blamed for the nation's collapse.&nbsp;Since March, mostly peaceful demonstrations have called for his resignation.

However, since the cash-strapped nation ceased receiving fuel shipments, forcing school closures and rationing of gasoline and diesel for basic services, discontent has gotten worse.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top defence source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP has confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, has fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound.

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top defence source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP has confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the embattled president of the country, has fled his official residence in the capital on Saturday before protestors calling for his resignation stormed the compound. The insider claimed that the president was "escorted to safety," and that troops had fired shots into the air to keep mobs of enraged people from storming the President's Palace. In one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in the troubled country this year, tens of thousands of protesters broke through police barricades to attack the president's official residence. Watch | Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood The protesters poured into Colombo's government district, yelling anti-presidential chants and tearing down multiple police barricades to get to Rajapaksa's home, reports Reuters citing a witness present at the scene. The witness claimed that despite police shooting rounds in the air, the enraged mob continued to surround the presidential palace. According to a video from the local TV news NewsFirst channel, several demonstrators burst into the president's mansion while brandishing helmets and Sri Lankan flags. Also read | Sri Lanka in crisis: Nearly 6 million experience food insecurity as inflation rises The 22 million-population island is experiencing the biggest financial instability in seven decades as a result of a severe foreign exchange shortage that has restricted imports of fuel, food, and medicine. President Gotabaya and the Rajapaksa clan is has been blamed for the nation's collapse. Since March, mostly peaceful demonstrations have called for his resignation. However, since the cash-strapped nation ceased receiving fuel shipments, forcing school closures and rationing of gasoline and diesel for basic services, discontent has gotten worse. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as angry mob storms presidential palace

From an unknown location, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered officials to ensure the smooth distribution of cooking gas after the fuel-starved country received 3,700 metric tonnes of LP gas, his office said on Sunday (July 10).

From an unknown location, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered officials to ensure the smooth distribution of cooking gas after the fuel-starved country received 3,700 metric tonnes of LP gas, his office said on Sunday (July 10). This order comes after the country's parliamentary speaker said that Rajapaksa plans to step down on July 13. Although Rajapaksa has not commented directly. In Sri Lanka, anti-government protesters are angry over power blackouts, shortages of basic goods and rising prices. They have also demanded that Rajapaksa should step down. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters stormed the presidential palace and forced Rajapaksa to flee with the navy and announce he would resign. ALSO READ | How Sri Lanka melted away: Anatomy of a massive protest According to Sri Lankan media, President Rajapaksa has instructed the officers to carry out the unloading and distribution of gas as the first ship arrives at Kerawalapitiya this afternoon. The reports further mentioned that a second ship carrying 3,740 metric tonnes of gas is due on July 11 and a third carrying 3,200 metric tonnes of gas will arrive on July 15. WATCH | Sri Lanka crisis: PM, President agree to step down; Gotabaya's current location kept secret × Protesters at the president's home On Sunday, protesters refused to leave Rajapaksa's residence. The president was not present in the presidential house when a mob stormed the building. Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people, is under the grip of an unprecedented economic turmoil, the worst in seven decades. The country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, had announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt stands at USD 51 billion. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka crisis: Location unknown, yet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issues orders