Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country before quitting as the Sri Lankan president. The man at the center of the storm has left for Maldives along with his wife two bodyguards, the news has been confirmed by the Lankan PM's office.

Sri Lanka's PM office confirms Gotabaya Rajapaksa's departure amid economic crisis

After hours of mobocracy-led demonstrations an eerie calm has taken over the Sri Lanka lanes. With dramatic turn of events and the President announcing his resignation, the worst may seem to have passed but the crisis is far from over.

Sri Lanka economic crunch: Citizens try to flee country amid crisis

Long queues formed at filling stations and community centres across the capital, Colombo, on Monday, thronged by thousands of weary residents, as limited fuel and gas supplies have resumed in parts of Sri Lanka after a weekend of tumultuous anti-government protests over the economic crisis. Fresh supplies came as a relief for a city on edge after months of shortages of fuel, food and other basics, as reported by BBC.

Sri Lankans have endured months of medicine and food shortages and electricity blackouts while fuel stations have run out of petrol and diesel despite pleas to Russia and others for discounted oil. Unofficial inflation rates are second only to those of Zimbabwe, making many goods -- if they can be found -- too expensive for many people to afford. The United Nations has warned that Sri Lanka is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions already in need of aid. More than three-quarters of the population had reduced their food intake due to the country's severe food shortages, the UN says.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indigo-levies-cute-fee-on-passengers-netizens-find-it-hysterical-496548">Indigo levies 'cute fee' on passengers, netizens find it hysterical</a>

Last week, cash-strapped Sri Lanka announced a two-week halt to all fuel sales except for essential services to save petrol and diesel for emergencies. Most shops were closed Sunday, with the situation expected to worsen when banks and offices reopen on Monday. Desperate people were seen trying to flag down the few vehicles on the road hoping for a ride.

Later, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa flees his official residence in Colombo with the assistance of troops, shortly before demonstrators storm the compound, and he is taken to an undisclosed location offshore. Footage from inside the residence shows jubilant protesters jumping in the pool and exploring its stately bedrooms. Wickremesinghe's residence is set on fire. Police say he and his family were not at the scene. Rajapaksa later offers to step down on July 13, parliamentary speaker Mahinda Abeywardana says in a televised statement. &nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Long queues formed at filling stations and community centres across the capital, Colombo, on Monday, thronged by thousands of weary residents, as limited fuel and gas supplies have resumed in parts of Sri Lanka after a weekend of tumultuous anti-government protests over the economic crisis.

Long queues formed at filling stations and community centres across the capital, Colombo, on Monday, thronged by thousands of weary residents, as limited fuel and gas supplies have resumed in parts of Sri Lanka after a weekend of tumultuous anti-government protests over the economic crisis. Fresh supplies came as a relief for a city on edge after months of shortages of fuel, food and other basics, as reported by BBC. Sri Lankans have endured months of medicine and food shortages and electricity blackouts while fuel stations have run out of petrol and diesel despite pleas to Russia and others for discounted oil. Unofficial inflation rates are second only to those of Zimbabwe, making many goods -- if they can be found -- too expensive for many people to afford. The United Nations has warned that Sri Lanka is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions already in need of aid. More than three-quarters of the population had reduced their food intake due to the country's severe food shortages, the UN says. Also Read: Indigo levies 'cute fee' on passengers, netizens find it hysterical Last week, cash-strapped Sri Lanka announced a two-week halt to all fuel sales except for essential services to save petrol and diesel for emergencies. Most shops were closed Sunday, with the situation expected to worsen when banks and offices reopen on Monday. Desperate people were seen trying to flag down the few vehicles on the road hoping for a ride. Later, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa flees his official residence in Colombo with the assistance of troops, shortly before demonstrators storm the compound, and he is taken to an undisclosed location offshore. Footage from inside the residence shows jubilant protesters jumping in the pool and exploring its stately bedrooms. Wickremesinghe's residence is set on fire. Police say he and his family were not at the scene. Rajapaksa later offers to step down on July 13, parliamentary speaker Mahinda Abeywardana says in a televised statement. (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.

Long queues in Sri Lanka, as fuel supplies resume after weekend of tumultuous anti-government protests

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

Two days after whereabouts of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa still remains unknown, rumors of the President fleeing the country are rife. Some speculate that he was flown to an International airport base while others claim that he is still in the country.

Rumours over Rajapaksa fleeing rife, Sri Lanka to get new President next week

From James Webb Telescope releasing the first infrared image of the universe to Yosemite National Park’s raging wildfire, here are some impactful images from around the world on July 12, 2022.

World in Pictures: Deepest image of universe; Yosemite’s wildfire; queues in Sri Lanka for LPG

Reports claim at least 19 emerging economies are at risk of default. They are facing a perfect storm of rising expenses and falling foreign exchange reserves. What can these countries do to avoid going the Sri Lanka way? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Which countries are going the Sri Lanka way

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?

India has rejected reports claiming it has deployed soldiers in Sri Lanka. How can India balance its support for the Lankan people with a call for a peaceful power transition? Palki Sharma decodes India's role in Sri Lanka.

Gravitas: What is India's role in Sri Lanka?

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;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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

Amidst massive economic turmoil, political vacuum continues in Sri Lanka with an exiting President and Prime Minister and no clarity whatsoever on who will take charge of a country in economic mess, the island nation is staring at an uncertain future.

Sri Lanka's political turmoil: Island nation to get new President next week

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

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-economic-crunch-citizens-try-to-flee-country-amid-crisis-496584/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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

What Sri Lanka witnessed at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on Saturday was a people tide. Protesters stormed the Presidential palace, swam in the pool, hijacked the gym, basically turning his residence inside out. Separately, President Gotabaya is in hiding. Rumours suggest that he is being enshrouded by the navy and is taking refuge at a military base. As confirmed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, President Gotabaya will step down from his position on July 13, paving way for further uncertainty in the island nation.

What caused the political fallout of President Gotabaya?

The anger against the Rajapaksa clan has been long brewing in Sri Lanka. At present, the nation of 22 million is neck-deep into the worst economic crisis ever. There is shortage of fuel, food and medicine, owing to the government’s mismanagement of the economy.

Since March, protesters have been rallying the streets, asking President Gotabaya to resign, for they solely blamed his government's glitches for the pitiable situation of their economy. But President Gotabaya put his foot down and refused to resign. His rationale being that he was elected by almost seven million people and that he was entitled to finish the rest of his five-year term that began in 2019.

Unfortunately, President Gotabaya was delusional when he thought that his image as the ‘saviour’ of the country against the LTTE in 2009 would get him through the current turbulence as well.

Rajapaksas at the zenith of power

The Rajapaksas are considered the biggest and the most nepotistic political dynasty in South Asia. After a humiliating defeat in 2015, they made a glorious comeback in 2018.

Their climb to power can be traced back to 2004, when Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed Prime Minister during the Presidency of Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike. By 2005, he not only became a political heavyweight, but also launched an all-out war against the LTTE, with brother Gotabaya as his defence secretary.

In the Sinhalese south, the Rajapaksas were revered by the majority Sinhala-Buddhist community for disbanding the LTTE nexus. The Rajapaksas therefore considered themselves invincible.

Internationally, they were criticised for running the government like a family-owned business. There was concern too that the Rajapaksas were not sticking to the post-war reconciliation with the Tamil community.

What happened in 2015?

Mahinda Rajapaksa lost to the opposition in 2015 after his Cabinet colleague Maithripala Sirisena teamed up with rival Wickremesinghe.

Despite the defeat, he launched the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP or People’s Front) in 2016 as the party of the people, appealing to the majority Sinhala-Buddhist population.

Mahinda turned the tables in 2018 by making a comeback in local elections. The then PM Wickremesinghe was sacked by President Maithripala Sirisena and appointed Mahinda as PM.

A year later, Mahinda was not eligible to run for president because of the two-term cap on presidency. Finally, in 2019, his brother Gotabaya won the presidential elections. What gave impetus to his campaign was his commitment to secure the nation in the wake of the Easter suicide bombings that killed 290 people.

Coming to power, Gotabaya pledged to nudge the country into the path development and stability but ended up making some blunders that triggered the economic domino effect.

He announced tax cuts in 2019 that slashed the government’s finances. His poorly though out ban on chemical fertilisers and the pandemic induced lockdowns further pushed the Sri Lankan economy to its brink.

On April 12, after a slow burn, the Sri Lankan economy came to a standstill as the government halted payments to international creditors. With this, all hell broke loose for the country.

What Sri Lanka witnessed at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on Saturday was a people tide. Protesters stormed the Presidential palace, swam in the pool, hijacked the gym, basically turning his residence inside out.

What Sri Lanka witnessed at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on Saturday was a people tide. Protesters stormed the Presidential palace, swam in the pool, hijacked the gym, basically turning his residence inside out. Separately, President Gotabaya is in hiding. Rumours suggest that he is being enshrouded by the navy and is taking refuge at a military base. As confirmed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, President Gotabaya will step down from his position on July 13, paving way for further uncertainty in the island nation. What caused the political fallout of President Gotabaya? The anger against the Rajapaksa clan has been long brewing in Sri Lanka. At present, the nation of 22 million is neck-deep into the worst economic crisis ever. There is shortage of fuel, food and medicine, owing to the government’s mismanagement of the economy. Since March, protesters have been rallying the streets, asking President Gotabaya to resign, for they solely blamed his government's glitches for the pitiable situation of their economy. But President Gotabaya put his foot down and refused to resign. His rationale being that he was elected by almost seven million people and that he was entitled to finish the rest of his five-year term that began in 2019. Unfortunately, President Gotabaya was delusional when he thought that his image as the ‘saviour’ of the country against the LTTE in 2009 would get him through the current turbulence as well. Rajapaksas at the zenith of power The Rajapaksas are considered the biggest and the most nepotistic political dynasty in South Asia. After a humiliating defeat in 2015, they made a glorious comeback in 2018. Their climb to power can be traced back to 2004, when Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed Prime Minister during the Presidency of Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike. By 2005, he not only became a political heavyweight, but also launched an all-out war against the LTTE, with brother Gotabaya as his defence secretary. In the Sinhalese south, the Rajapaksas were revered by the majority Sinhala-Buddhist community for disbanding the LTTE nexus. The Rajapaksas therefore considered themselves invincible. Internationally, they were criticised for running the government like a family-owned business. There was concern too that the Rajapaksas were not sticking to the post-war reconciliation with the Tamil community. What happened in 2015? Mahinda Rajapaksa lost to the opposition in 2015 after his Cabinet colleague Maithripala Sirisena teamed up with rival Wickremesinghe. Despite the defeat, he launched the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP or People’s Front) in 2016 as the party of the people, appealing to the majority Sinhala-Buddhist population. Mahinda turned the tables in 2018 by making a comeback in local elections. The then PM Wickremesinghe was sacked by President Maithripala Sirisena and appointed Mahinda as PM. A year later, Mahinda was not eligible to run for president because of the two-term cap on presidency. Finally, in 2019, his brother Gotabaya won the presidential elections. What gave impetus to his campaign was his commitment to secure the nation in the wake of the Easter suicide bombings that killed 290 people. Coming to power, Gotabaya pledged to nudge the country into the path development and stability but ended up making some blunders that triggered the economic domino effect. He announced tax cuts in 2019 that slashed the government’s finances. His poorly though out ban on chemical fertilisers and the pandemic induced lockdowns further pushed the Sri Lankan economy to its brink. On April 12, after a slow burn, the Sri Lankan economy came to a standstill as the government halted payments to international creditors. With this, all hell broke loose for the country.

Sri Lanka: The rise and fall of the Rajapaksas

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

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lankas-economic-and-political-crisis-no-consensus-over-next-presidents-name-496596/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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

The Police Sergeant who extended his support to the people’s struggle at Maharagama Town on Saturday has been arrested on charges of possessing a sharp weapon while entering the President’s House in Colombo, early this morning. The suspect, who was wearing a pair of sandals and wearing a police uniform, came to enter the President's House and was stopped and searched by the security forces on duty for suspicious behaviour. A sharp weapon was recovered from the possession of the sergeant and was handed over to the Fort Police. The sergeant, attached to the Narahenpita Police Garage, is a resident of Homagama, as reported by Daily Mirror.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A police officer supports the protest amidst loud applause from the protestors. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LKA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LKA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaCrisis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaCrisis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/July9th?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#July9th</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ld9tgFS6Qi">pic.twitter.com/Ld9tgFS6Qi</a>
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 💉 (@SriLankaTweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/SriLankaTweet/status/1545645800281473026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As anti-government demonstrations spread across Sri Lanka amid the ongoing political instability and a worsening economic crisis, a man wearing a police uniform was spotted supporting the protesters in Kottawa town on Monday. In a video shared by a Sri Lankan journalist, the cop parks his bike throws away his helmet and starts raising slogans expressing support for the protesters. The police officer was welcomed by applause from the protesters who lauded his participation in the protests.

Sri Lankans have endured months of medicine and food shortages and electricity blackouts while fuel stations have run out of petrol and diesel despite pleas to Russia and others for discounted oil. Unofficial inflation rates are second only to those of Zimbabwe, making many goods -- if they can be found -- too expensive for many people to afford. The United Nations has warned that Sri Lanka is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions already in need of aid. More than three-quarters of the population had reduced their food intake due to the country's severe food shortages, the UN says.

(with inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Police Sergeant who extended his support to the people’s struggle at Maharagama Town on Saturday has been arrested on charges of possessing a sharp weapon while entering the President’s House in Colombo, early this morning.

The Police Sergeant who extended his support to the people’s struggle at Maharagama Town on Saturday has been arrested on charges of possessing a sharp weapon while entering the President’s House in Colombo, early this morning. The suspect, who was wearing a pair of sandals and wearing a police uniform, came to enter the President's House and was stopped and searched by the security forces on duty for suspicious behaviour. A sharp weapon was recovered from the possession of the sergeant and was handed over to the Fort Police. The sergeant, attached to the Narahenpita Police Garage, is a resident of Homagama, as reported by Daily Mirror. A police officer supports the protest amidst loud applause from the protestors. #LKA #SriLanka #SriLankaCrisis #July9th pic.twitter.com/Ld9tgFS6Qi — Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 💉 (@SriLankaTweet) July 9, 2022 × As anti-government demonstrations spread across Sri Lanka amid the ongoing political instability and a worsening economic crisis, a man wearing a police uniform was spotted supporting the protesters in Kottawa town on Monday. In a video shared by a Sri Lankan journalist, the cop parks his bike throws away his helmet and starts raising slogans expressing support for the protesters. The police officer was welcomed by applause from the protesters who lauded his participation in the protests. Sri Lankans have endured months of medicine and food shortages and electricity blackouts while fuel stations have run out of petrol and diesel despite pleas to Russia and others for discounted oil. Unofficial inflation rates are second only to those of Zimbabwe, making many goods -- if they can be found -- too expensive for many people to afford. The United Nations has warned that Sri Lanka is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions already in need of aid. More than three-quarters of the population had reduced their food intake due to the country's severe food shortages, the UN says. (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.

Watch: Protesting police sergeant of Sri Lanka arrested from President's house, here's why

As Sri Lanka's fuel and gas shortages intensify, citizens are turning to firewood. While affluent Sri Lankans can afford refined charcoal stoves, others are depending on traditional devices. Doctors warn that a permanent pivot to firewood would be disastrous for public health. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary | Sri Lanka turns to firewood amid gas shortage

Sri Lanka's colonial-era presidential palace has embodied state authority for more than 200 years, but on Sunday it was the island's new symbol of "people power" after its occupant fled. Molly Gambhir brings you this ground report by Dasuni Athauda as we take you inside the presidential palace.

WION Fineprint| Ground report from Sri Lanka's seat of power

WION Fineprint| Ground report from Sri Lanka's seat

Sri Lanka's economic and political crisis: No consensus over next President's name

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

For centuries, people's movements have shaped political and social order in South Asia. The current chaos in Sri Lanka brings back flashes from other Asian nations. Molly Gambhir tells you about similar uprisings in the region.

WION Fineprint | Sri Lanka: A look at 'people power' in Asia

A deep financial crisis have left Sri Lanka struggling to pay for import of food, medicine and fuel. Protesters have currently occupied Presidential palace and have askes Gotabaya to step down from the post of President. Here, at The Full Context, we decode how Sri Lanka got to this point and what lies ahead.

The Full Context: How unprecedented economic crunch pushed Sri Lanka over the edge?

A few years ago Sri Lanka's economy was growing strongly enough to provide jobs and financial security for most. It's now in a state of collapse. WION tells you how the island nation's economic crisis is impacting the citizens.

The impact of economic crisis on Sri Lankan citizens

sri-lanka-0

Sri Lanka, News on Sri Lanka, stories on Sri Lanka, articles on Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka stories at Wion, Sri Lanka news, Sri Lanka latest news

sri lanka-0