Sri Lanka crisis: Speaker Abhaywardene announces Gotabaya's resignation, says the country will get new President within 7 days

Sri Lanka, which is facing a severe economic and political crisis, will get a new president within seven days. This was announced by the Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abhaywardene on Friday. Gotabaya Rajapaksa legally resigned from the presidency on Thursday, he said.

Abhaywardene said that now the Parliament will meet on Saturday. He has appealed to the people of the country to maintain a peaceful environment for the MPs so that they can participate in the process of the presidential election. The presidential election has been fixed for July 22.

Gotabaya reached Singapore from the Maldives

At the same time, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who reached the Maldives after escaping from Sri Lanka, has now reached Singapore. A Saudi Airlines plane carrying him reached Singapore's Changi International Airport on Thursday evening. He was accompanied by his wife and two bodyguards. Gotabaya was seen shopping with his wife at the airport. The picture has been shared by the Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror.

On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry of Singapore said, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has come on a personal visit. They have neither sought asylum, nor have they been given asylum. Now there is speculation about Gotabaya going to Saudi Arabia.

Army clears crowd from Rashtrapati Bhavan

The army has taken over the responsibility of dealing with the angry mob in Sri Lanka. The army has removed the public from administrative buildings including Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister's Office. Tanks have been deployed to prevent the public from entering the Parliament. A parliament spokesman said Gotabaya had resigned. So the session of Parliament can start today.

Speaker has received Rajapaksa's resignation

Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abhaywardene has received Rajapaksa's resignation. This resignation was received through the Singapore Embassy in Sri Lanka. Several media reports also said that he has e-mailed his resignation to the speaker. At the same time, after the resignation of Rajapaksa, people were seen celebrating and dancing in Colombo.

Updates related to the Sri Lanka crisis...

The army was allowed to use force to prevent violent protests in the country.

Curfew was imposed in Colombo from noon on Thursday to 5 in the morning on Friday.

According to the news agency AP, Gotabaya Rajapaksa will go to Saudi Arabia after Singapore.

The protesters are negotiating to vacate occupied government buildings.

Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday lifted a curfew imposed in the Western Province.

Protesters came out of the President's residence

Protests are still going on in Colombo. Meanwhile, tanks have been deployed for the security of the Parliament House. On the other hand, the protesters have vacated the President's residence and the Prime Minister's residence. The army has taken both these places under its control. On the other hand, President Rajapaksa's brother and former minister Basil Rajapaksa also fled to America.

One killed, 75 injured in protests in Sri Lanka

The anger of Sri Lankans flared up after Rajapaksa left the country. Protesters are furiously rioting on the streets of the capital Colombo. Seeing the fierce protest of the people, the army lowered its weapons in front of its citizens. They are just firing tear gas shells or using mild force to control the people. One person died and more than 75 people were injured during the demonstration.

Also Read: Former Sri Lankan President could not leave Maldives: Abandoned flight to Singapore fearing protests; Speaker said - Gotabaya did not send a resignation