Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Monday told BBC that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the island and is in a nearby country. He added that the President will be back by Wednesday.
Rajapaksa to resign on July 13
Rajapaksa has officially conveyed to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will resign on July 13 as previously announced, the Prime Minister's office said on Monday, days after protesters stormed the leaders' homes in rage over their mishandling of the country's worst economic crisis.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also said he was willing to resign and make way for an all-party government to take over. Protesters breached his private residence and set it on fire, according to his office.
"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has officially informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will be resigning as previously announced," a statement from the PM's office said.
New President to be elected on July 20
Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Prasanna Ranatunga on Monday announced that the new President of Sri Lanka will be elected on July 20.
Ranatunga said that the party leaders have decided to elect a new President on July 20, if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns on July 13, reported NewsWire.
(With agency inputs)
