After escaping to Maldives due to an uprising triggered by economic collapse, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is now waiting to travel to Singapore, reported news agency ANI. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is now an acting president, has declared a state of emergency and a curfew in the Western province has been imposed amid rising protests.
Rajapaksa has not departed for Singapore on the scheduled Singapore Airlines flight from Male to Singapore, the news agency quoted Daily Mirror report.
Rajapaksa accompanied with his wife Ioma Rajapaksa and two security officers were expected to leave for Singapore on board SQ437 from Male to Singapore Wednesday night but did not fly because of security reasons, said Daily Mirror citing sources.
However, there are attemps to secure a private aircraft for the embattled President, reported the Maldivian media, acording to ANI.
Rajapaksa managed to flee to Maldives from Katunayake International Airport after getting full approval of the country’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday. An Air Force flight was arranged for the President to move out of the country.
On the other hand, Wickremesinghe took over the reins as the President for a temporary period till a new President is elected by Parliament on July 20 for which nominations will be called on July 19.
Notably, Wickremesinghe is also unpopular and was forced to step down from his post amid the ongoing protests. He said he would resign for the safety of all the citizens and make way for a unity government.
Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis since independence. It has triggered massive protests across the country demanding the ouster of Rajapaksa as President.