Sri Lanka President Announces Resignation

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced his resignation after demonstrators ransacked his office, according to the Prime Minister's office.

The PM's mansion and the presidential palace are still being occupied by protesters, who won't leave until both the leaders step down. The President would step down on July 13, according to the Parliament's speaker. 

However, a large number of demonstrators had deep reservations about the news. Rajapaksa formally told the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will resign on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the office. However, Mr Rajapaksa, has not yet issued a direct statement.

According to Sri Lanka's constitution, his resignation won't be officially acknowledged until he sends a letter of resignation to the parliament speaker, which hasn't happened yet. Earlier, Mr. Wickremesinghe had also declared his intention to leave his position.

Although the position of Mr. Rajapaksa is presently unknown, military sources hinted he is aboard a navy ship in Sri Lankan waters. According to the sources, his brother, the former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, is stationed in the nation at a naval facility.

After months of protests, thousands descended to the capital on Saturday calling for the president's resignation. The country's economic mismanagement, which has resulted in months of food, fuel, and medical shortages, has been attributed to Mr. Rajapaksa.

Up until both leaders' departures from power, protesters inside the palaces have resisted moving. Lahiru Weerasekara, the leader of the student protest, was cited by AFP as saying, "Our struggle is not finished."

He declared, "We won't give up this fight until President Rajapaksa truly steps down. According to political analyst and human rights attorney Bhavani Fonseka, "the next couple of days are going to be incredibly unpredictable times as to see what transpires politically." She also noted that it would be fascinating to see if the two leaders "really resign."