Sri Lankan President Gotabaya to leave for Singapore

Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who sought sanctuary in the Maldives is reportedly preparing to leave for Singapore, reports foreign media outlets.

Rajapaksa had fled from home country sometime during the early hours of Wednesday, July 13.

Reports claim the military aircraft in which he was traveling along with his wife and bodyguards landed in Velana International Airport (VIA) around 03:00 am on Wednesday early morning.

The Sri Lankan President who recently came under fire for the poor economic management and crisis aversion under his administration had earlier announced he will be stepping down on Wednesday.

However, it is believed that Rajapaksa fled the country ahead of his renouncement over fears of detention.

As the country's president, Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from arrest; something which will come to cease once he renounces his presidency.

Some foreign news outlets have reported Rajapaksa was seeking possible sanctuary from Singapore for which he had earlier spoken with the country's senior officials.

The media outlet which reported of Rajapaksa's possible asylum in Singapore, claimed that an anonymous source disclosed President Rajapaksa receiving the approval nod for sanctuary from Singapore.

Though foreign media outlets have reported of Rajapaksa's next possible destination of asylum, it is unsure at the time when he will be taking the trip.

After fleeing from his presidential palace on Saturday, July 9, after thousands of angry protesters stormed into the compound, Rajapaksa had attempted to seek political asylum from India and the United States; both denying his appeal.

His attempts to flee to Dubai was stymied by the airport officials after which Rajapaksa and his entourage opted to fly off to the neighboring island nation.

Despite announcing earlier of stepping down from presidency on Wednesday, Rajapaksa has not officially made the declaration.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as acting President of Sri Lanka, while the country has declared state of emergency and nationwide curfew amid growing unrest.