Sri Lankan President Who Failed to Flee to Dubai Flies to Maldives by Military Aircraft

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka who had declared his resignation amid popular protests, reportedly left Sri Lanka on the morning of the 13th (local time) by military aircraft and headed to the Maldives, AFP news agency reported. Earlier, his attempt to depart for Dubai was thwarted, leading to a hasty escape by military plane.

A local immigration official told AFP that President Gotabaya, the first lady, and one bodyguard boarded an Antonov-32 aircraft and left Sri Lanka.

It is reported that President Gotabaya took refuge at an air force base near Bandaranaike International Airport in the capital Colombo as anti-government protesters stormed the presidential residence. Initially, he tried to flee to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), but failed to depart after a standoff with immigration officers.

Since the national crisis erupted in Sri Lanka, large-scale anti-government protesters have occupied and continued to hold the presidential office and residence since the 9th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, as anti-government protests demanding the president's resignation spread over the past weekend in Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa evacuated urgently from the official residence and promised to resign.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, elected in the November 2019 presidential election, had been under pressure from opposition parties and the majority of the public to take responsibility for Sri Lanka's economic crisis and resign. Especially after the country entered a state of debt default on May 19, the pressure intensified, preventing him from completing his term until 2024.

Sri Lanka plans to hold a vote on the 20th to elect a new president in order to stabilize the country, including rapid bailout negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).