According to sources, the Sri Lanka President , who is under fire, was flown to an airbase close to the country’s principal international airport on Monday, fueling rumours that he will go for exile overseas.
On Saturday, under naval protection, Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the Colombo presidential palace before tens of thousands of protesters took control of the area.
A few hours later, the speaker of the house of representatives declared Rajapaksa will step down on Wednesday to allow for a “peaceful transition of power.”
The 73-year-old leader had taken refuge at a navy facility, a top defence prior to being transported to the Katunayake airbase, whose perimeter fence shares space with the nation’s principal Bandaranaike International airport.
He said, “He and his party were taken back to Colombo in two Bell 412 choppers.
Although the president’s administration has not provided any official information regarding his location, various local media sources suggested he would be leaving for Dubai later on Monday.
According to the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rajapaksa officially told Wickremesinghe of his desire to quit without giving a deadline.
Millions of rupees in cash that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left behind after leaving his official residence in the capital will be given to the court on Monday, according to police.
After storming the Presidential residence on Saturday, protesters found 17.85 million rupees (approximately $50,000) in fresh, new banknotes but gave them to the police. A police official stated, “The money was taken over by the police and will be brought in court today.
A bag containing documents had also been left behind inside the regal estate, according to official sources. Rajapaksa moved inside the 200-year-old structure after being forced from his own mansion on March 31 when demonstrators attempted to storm it.
The 73-year-old leader was hauled away by boat and taken to the northeast of the island after making his escape through a rear door while being escorted by naval troops.
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