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.

Outgoing Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will submit his resignation letter to Sri Lankan parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena after arriving in Singapore. 

Singapore is set to grant asylum to Rajapaksa, the Indian television channel Republic TV reported. 

The genocidaire fled the country after a mass uprising in the capital Colombo on July 09 and appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe as acting president.  

The accused war criminal is currently staying at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafush in the Maldives after he fled Sri Lanka in a military aircraft. 

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for a peaceful political transition in Sri Lanka, they have emphasized the need for an inclusive process that respects the rule of law.

The crisis in Sri Lanka continues to escalate as protesters marched into the Prime Minister’s office earlier today.

Acting President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has imposed a state of emergency and a curfew. Wickremesinghe has also ordered the military to do whatever is necessary to restore order on the island, accusing protesters of fascism.

As Colombo descends into crisis, British parliament held an urgent debate on the state of Sri Lanka with growing calls for a new pluralist constitution, the recognition of self-determination for Tamils, the ratification of the Rome Statute, the arrest of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and justice for the Tamil genocide.

Sri Lanka’s former army chief has issued a call to the military, asking them not to follow orders from acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe and instead "raise your weapons against corrupt politicians".

In a Facebook post alongside a photograph of himself in full military uniform, Fonseka called on “law abiding disciplined patriotic war heroes” in the military to “refrain from following the unconstitutional orders given by Ranil Wickremesinghe”.

Sri Lanka’s war crimes accused Chief of Defence Staff, Shavendra Silva has urged the Speaker of Sri Lanka’s parliament to convene an urgent meeting of party leaders to resolve the turmoil gripping the country.

Sri Lanka's embattled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reportedly staying at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafush in the Maldives, after he fled Sri Lanka late last night in a military aircraft. 

Rajapaksa who is expected to officially resign today finally fled to the Maldives after several failed attempts to leave the island following mass protests demanding his resignation.  

As violence breaks out across Colombo, acting President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has defended the imposition of a state of emergency, accusing the protesters of resorting to fascism.

Addressing the country, he maintained that this fascism must be eliminated and ordinary people's homes protected. This follows the burning of his private residence over the weekend, which some have blamed on pro-Rajapaksa elements.

Reports have emerged that Gotabaya Rajapaksa who landed in the Maldives yesterday, will now board a flight to Singapore this evening after claiming asylum. 

Maldivian-based news outlet gaafu, reported that the accused war criminal will depart through a Singapore Airlines flight SQ437 which is set to leave in over 8 hours.