After mass protests, Sri Lanka's president officially resigns

Gotabaya Rajapapasa has resigned as Sri Lanka president after she fled to Singapore after mass protests in the country against his regime.
Rajapapasa submitted his resignation on Thursday, July 14th, according to Chief Parliamentary Press Office Mahida Yapa Abeywardena, adding that the resignation will be officially announced on July 15th, at 7: 00 a.m. local time.

Protesters in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, agreed earlier to clear government buildings amid ongoing negotiations with the country's parliament speaker.

Rajapak left the country on 13 July without resigning. He first traveled to Maldives, then to Singapore, where he reportedly handed the letter of resignation to the Sri Lanka High Commission there. He then traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Parliament Speaker has called for the original letter of resignation to be sent to Sri Lanka on the next aircraft available by Singapore.

Tensions in Sri Lanka remained high amid the state of emergency declared by the government. A strong military presence was reported on parliament and other government buildings.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickreminghe, who is serving as acting president, told parliament he would resign and ask Abeywardenas “to appoint a prime minister who is acceptable to both the government and the opposition”.

Massive protests erupted over the weekend, with demonstrators occupying the presidential palace and other official buildings.

Protesters accuse the outgoing president of corruption and serious mismanagement of the country's economy of about 22 million people. He has denied allegations of corruption.

After the resignation of Rajapapasa is officially confirmed, parliament will meet on 20 July to elect a new president to complete its mandate, which ends on 2024. / REL