Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe took office as acting President just hours after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country in the wee hours today amid protests. "The Prime Minister has declared a national emergency and imposed a curfew throughout the western province," Wickremesinghe’s media secretary Dinouk Colombage informed. The curfew goes into effect immediately. Protests continue across the island nation as protesters demand Wickremesinghe's resignation. An angry mob stormed the residence of the Lankan Prime Minister, fighting the tear gas shells from security forces.

Rajapaksa fled his country earlier in the day and arrived in Maldives, where he was welcomed by Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldivian speaker. He accepted the demands of the protesters and resigned today. Protests against Rajapaksas continue for months. They intensified last weekend when thousands stormed the residence of the prime minister and the presidential palace. Protesters blame the Rajapaksa family, blaming them for the economic crisis that has left citizens in need of fuel, food, and medicine.

A senior officer in the police said that the Western Province, which also includes Colombo was under an indefinite curfew, was imposed by police "to contain the situation". Wickremesinghe himself has indicated his willingness to resign if consensus is reached for the formation of a unity government. His office has confirmed Rajapaksa's departure, but did not provide any schedule for any resignation announcement.

The presidential succession process can take up to three days. This is the minimum time required by parliament to elect Rajapaksa's term as MP, which ends in November 2024. It takes no more than 30 days under the statute.

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Sri Lanka President Gotabya Rajapaksa Departs From Country