Sri Lanka crisis: Gotabaya flees, Lankans fume

As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on a military jet, violent protests re-erupted in Sri Lanka, with Prime Miner Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring a State of Emergency and imposing a curfew in the most-chaotic western part of the island after getting the presidential powers from Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka parliamentary Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said Rajapaksa called and informed him that he will put in his resignation papers on Thursday, as per a Reuters report.
Yet there was no truce between the protestors and security forces, which were seen clashing in the streets of Colombo and other parts of the country too.
As per the latest reports, undeterred security personnel deploying tear gas, protestors broke through barricades and stormed Prime Miner’s office. They have also occupied the building of the state broadcaster and halted its operations.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian government, facing widespread criticism for allegedly supporting Rajapaksa and giving him space in its country at a time when Lankans want to hold him responsible for the crisis, has refused to comment on the unprecedented situation.
On the other hand, India has categorically rejected the reports alleging its hand in fleeing Rajapaksa.
Earlier Wednesday, soon after Rajapaksa made his escape along with his wife and two bodyguards, thousands of protestors gathered outside the office of Wickremesinghe, urging him to resign.
Soon after Rajapaksa made his escape along with his wife and two bodyguards, thousands of protestors gathered outside the office of Prime Miner Ranil Wickremesinghe, urging him to resign.
Earlier this week, both embattled President Rajapaksa and Prime Miner Wickremesinghe announced their willingness to step down from the top posts after demonstrators stormed the two leaders’ official residences. The island nation has witnessed widespread protests over the last few months due to an economic crisis spurred an acute shortage of foreign exchange, that has left the country in dire need of essential imports, including food, fuel and medicines.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees Sri Lanka amid public revolt
Just hours before he was expected to step down as President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country onboard a military jet, the Sri Lankan Air Force announced. The 73-year-old leader left the country along with his wife and two security officers on a military jet, a brief statement from the Sri Lanka Air Force said.
Earlier this week, both embattled President Rajapaksa and Prime Miner Wickremesinghe announced their willingness to step down from the top posts after demonstrators stormed the two leaders’ official residences.
“On government request and in terms of powers available to a President under the Constitution, with complete approval from the minry of defence, the President, his wife and two security officials were provided a Sri Lanka Air Force plane to depart from the Katunayake international airport for the Maldives in the early hours of July 13,” the statement said.
Baseless, speculative: India denies reports that it helped Sri Lanka President flee to Maldives
India on Wednesday categorically denied “baseless and speculative” media reports that it facilitated President Rajapaksa’s movement to the Maldives.
“The High Commission categorically denies baseless and speculative media reports that India facilitated the recent reported travel of (President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) out of Sri Lanka,” the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka tweeted. “It is reiterated that India will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values , established democratic institutions and constitutional framework.”
Curfew imposed in western province 
The Prime Miner has declared a curfew in the western province, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s media secretary, Dinouk Colombage, told news agency Reuters. The curfew comes into effect immediately.
Western province is one of the nine provinces in Sri Lanka and includes Colombo drict where protesters have gathered outside the PM’s office and residence and are demanding his resignation.
(With PTI inputs)