Lanka president puts condition ahead of resignation, seeks safe exit for family: Sources

In an unexpected turn of events, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has hinted he will not resign till his family gets a safe exit from the country, said sources.

According to sources, negotiation is going on with the Opposition, but no party is willing to accept this suggestion so far.

Three days ago, the president spoke to the speaker and informed him that he would resign on Wednesday. However, in the last 40 hours, he has not mentioned anything about his possible resignation on Wednesday.

Rajapaksa wants safe passage for him and his family to leave the country before sending his resignation.

The President’s brother, Basil Rajapaksa, was stopped at the airport’s international VIP departure by the immigration department and the airport staff.

All staffers at the silk route VIP corridor have called off services to prevent the exit of the Rajapaksas.

If the President doesn’t resign tomorrow, the situation in Colombo is likely to escalate further, said sources.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had fled his official residence in Colombo on Saturday moments before thousands of protesters broke through police barricades and stormed the compound seeking his resignation over the government’s failure to save the country’s economy.

Sri Lanka Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena held an all-party meeting and Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe met with his cabinet ministers.

Following this, Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his resignation from the post of Sri Lanka Prime Minister on Saturday.

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