What’s Happening in Sri Lanka After Ex-President Flees? Explained
Protesters on President's Palace Road, in Colombo, on July 10.
Photographer: Jonathan Wijayaratne/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Sri Lanka’s president has fled the country and the prime minister has promised to resign in the face of massive protests and the economy’s collapse. To get up to speed, here’s a short FAQ with the key facts:
He hasn’t given an official statement since news of his departure to the Maldives. The Sri Lankan Air Force said it provided a military plane for the 73-year-old, his wife and two bodyguards. Rajapaksa had promised to resign on Wednesday, after protesters stormed his official residence. People with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg News that they haven’t received his resignation yet.