Gotabaya Rajapaksa had promised overthe weekend to resign on Wednesday (File)
Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency today as massive protests engulfed Colombo after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew to the Maldives following months of protests against an economic crisis.
Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe as the acting President while he is abroad.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa had promised over the weekend to resign on Wednesday and clear the way for a "peaceful transition of power" after fleeing his official residence in Colombo just before tens of thousands of protesters overran it.
As president, Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from arrest, and he is believed to have wanted to go abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of being detained
Here are the Highlights on the Sri Lanka Crisis:
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India's trade with Sri Lanka 'at standstill': Exporters
India's trade with Sri Lanka has nearly stopped following the unrest in the island nation, leaving exporters worried about their payments.
"Our exports and imports have come to a complete standstill. Exporters are very cautious because of the political crisis and payment issues," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Vice-Chairman Khalid Khan said.
Sri Lanka PM Tells Military and Police To 'Restore Order'
In a televised address, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked the military and police to restore order.
Lanka President Called, Said He'll Send Resignation Later Today: SpeakerSri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to the Maldives on Wednesday, telephoned the speaker of parliament saying that his resignation letter will be sent later in the day.
"The president got in touch with me over the phone and said that he will ensure that his resignation letter will be received by me today," speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a video statement.
Read More Maldives Foreign Ministry denies commenting on Rajapaksa's presence in MaleThe Maldives' Foreign Ministry on Wednesday refused to comment on embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's arrival in the country along with his wife and two security officers on board a military aircraft that took off from Colombo's main international airport.
Rajapaksa, 73, flew out of the country hours before he was due to officially resign on Wednesday after months of protests against his government's economic mismanagement that has led to severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials.
Lankan National TV Channel suspends broadcast
Sri Lanka's national TV channel Rupavahini Corporation has suspended its broadcast after protesters entered its premises in Colombo, sources said.
US Embassy In Sri Lanka Cancels Consular Services For 2 DaysThe US Embassy in Colombo on Wednesday cancelled its consular services as a precaution for the next two days, amidst the deepening political turmoil and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
Watch: NDTV crew teargassed amid massive street protests in Colombo
Sri Lanka PM Wickremesinghe appointed acting president: SpeakerSri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed to be acting president as incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa was overseas, the parliamentary Speaker announced Wednesday as thousands of protesters demanded both men step down.
Sri Lanka's Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Civil War Hero Brought Down By ProtestsSri Lanka's Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who oversaw a ruthless crushing of Tamil Tiger guerrillas to end a long-running civil war and went on to become president, had been due to step down on Wednesday to appease a population angry over several tumultuous months of economic and political crisis.
He chose to do so by fleeing the country.
An immigration official said Mr Rajapaksa, his wife and two bodyguards left the country by a Sri Lankan air force plane in the early hours of Wednesday. A government source said he had gone to Male, the capital of the Maldives.
Read More Police use tear gas shells and fired shots in the air as protesters breached security outside Prime Minister's office
A Look At Sri Lanka's Powerful Rajapaksa Family
Anger at Sri Lanka's dire economic crisis has been simmering for months, with many laying the blame for widespread shortages and runaway inflation squarely at the feet of the ruling Rajapaksa family.
That anger boiled over last week with hundreds of thousands of protesters massing around the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, forcing him to flee under military guard just before the crowd overran the home and barged into his nearby office.
Read More Sri Lanka Declares State Of Emergency As President Rajapaksa Flees
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka declared a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday, hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, the Prime Minister's office said.
Read MoreProtesters' March to Parliament
The anti-government protesters told NDTV that they will march to Parliament and will continue their agitation until the President step down. They have also demanded Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's resignation.
Protesters stage demonstrations in Colombo
Protesters took to the streets in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo demanding Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation as news emerged that he has fled to the Maldives. Security Forces used water cannons to disperse the crowd
We haven't received Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation yet, but we hope to get it in a day: Speaker of Sri Lanka's Parliament
Sri Lankan Air Force's Statement On Gotabaya Rajapaksa
"According to the request of the Government in accordance with the powers vested in an Executive President in the Constitution of Sri Lanka, His Excellency the President and the Lady along with two bodyguards from Katunayake International Airport to the Maldives subject to the full approval of the Ministry of Defense subject to immigration, customs and all other laws at Katunayake International Airport. An Air Force flight was given early in the morning on 13th July 2022 to depart," Sri Lankan Air Force Media Director said in a statement.
The Prime Minister's Office confirms that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the country.
Indian High Commission in Srilanka today refuted the reports which said India helped President Rajapaksa and his brother Basil flee the country.
Speaker yet to get President Rajapaksa's resignation letterSri Lanka's parliamentary speaker is yet to receive President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation letter though he has fled the country.
Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Flees To Maldives, May Resign Today
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is expected to resign today, arrived in Maldives early this morning following massive protests against him. He was received by Maldivian government officials at the Velana airport in Male.
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