President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees Sri Lanka, lands in Maldives

Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country early Wednesday, days after protesters stormed his home and office and the official residence of his prime minister amid a three-month economic crisis that triggered severe shortages of food and fuel.

Rajapaksa who is due to offer his resignation on Wednesday, landed in the Maldivian capital of Malé, where he was received by a Maldivian government representation at the Velana airport.

Earlier on Monday night, Rajapaksa and his brother Basil were turned back at the Colombo airport as they attempted to leave the country amid mounting anger against the powerful family for mishandling the worst economic crisis.

Lawmakers agreed to elect a new president next week but struggled Tuesday to decide on the makeup of a new government to lift the bankrupt country out of economic and political collapse.