Sri Lanka’s fleeing president Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a gazette stating he is “unable to exercise, perform and discharge” his duties as president, and that he appoints prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as acting president.
In a gazette issued from the Maldives, where he is currently staying after having fled Sri Lanka last night, Rajapaksa said he was “unable to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Office of the President by reason of my absence” and that he appoints Wickremesinghe under Article 37 (1) of Sri Lanka’s constitution.
The gazette comes following a day of turmoil in Sri Lanka after Rajapaksa fled. Sri Lanka’s speaker said Wickremesinghe had assumed office as president, from where he has since issued a curfew and state of emergency.
Though Rajapaksa reportedly said he would resign on Wednesday, July 13, he still has not officially stepped down.