July 13

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country. He was set to relinquish power after protesters stormed his official residence over the weekend.

The president has not been seen in public for almost a week.

According to Sri Lanka's Air Force, the president, his wife and two bodyguards were flown to the Maldives on a military jet early Wednesday morning.

The news comes amid massive anti-government protests triggered by an ongoing economic crisis.

People in Sri Lanka have been struggling to buy fuel, food and other essentials.

Sri Lanka's parliament is expected to elect a new president on July 20.

Observers say they are uncertain whether the change of power will help bring the situation under control.

NHK