Protests break out across Colombo demanding Maldives-bound Gotabaya Rajapaksa step down immediately
The Sri Lankan president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has fled to the Maldives on a military jet hours before he was due to resign on Wednesday, after days of extraordinary scenes – including his presidential palace and office being taken over by anti-government protesters.
After his departure, the office of the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said a state of emergency had been declared as protesters continued to try to storm government offices. A Sri Lankan official said Wickremesinghe had been appointed by Rajapaksa to be acting president.