Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Confirms Resignation
Sri Lan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has confirmed he will resign after tens of thousands of protesters stormed the official residences of both leaders.
Sri Lanka is in a deep financial crisis and the crowds say they won't leave until both men quit their posts.
The parliament Speaker had earlier said the president would resign on 13 July.
Mr. Rajapaksa, whose whereabouts are unknown, has not spoken publicly since his residence was stormed on Saturday.
Sources have told the media that he is on a navy vessel in Sri Lankan waters. He was moved to safety before protesters entered the presidential palace.
The president has been blamed for the country's economic mismanagement, which has caused dire shortages of food, fuel, and medicine for months.
The parliament Speaker first announced his resignation on Saturday, but many Sri Lankans responded with skepticism to the idea that he would relinquish power.
On Monday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said in a statement Mr. Rajapaksa had informed that he would step down on Wednesday.
But under Sri Lanka's constitution, his resignation can only formally be accepted when he resigns by letter to the Speaker - which has yet to happen.
His house was set on fire during Saturday's unrest.
BY BBC
Tags: Gotabaya Rajapaksa Sri Lankan President Resigns
