Sri Lanka's ex-minister Basil Rajapaksa stopped from flying to Dubai as protestors gather outside airport

Sri Lankan political crisis continues as former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was blocked from boarding an Emirates flight to Dubai as protestors surrounded the Colombo international airport. Basil is the youngest brother of the President.

As per the reports in Hindustan Times, Basil holds dual citizenship of the US and Sri Lanka and was en route to Dubai but was stopped by immigration as the protestors surrounded the airport.

The protestors are making sure that none of the politicians escape and therefore have set up checkpoints across the country. Basil's elder brothers Mahinda and Gotabaya are both under security protection in Colombo. Gotabaya will be resigning as the president tomorrow.

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.

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