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Rajapaksa had earlier arrived in Singapore in a aircraft from the Maldives after fleeing his nation within the wake of anti-government protests.
Abhaywardene has obtained an electronic mail with Rajapaksa’s resignation, the speaker’s workplace confirmed to CNN on Thursday, however added that “we cannot accept such emails at face value.”
“Its validity needs to be ascertained. It has been shared with the concerned authorities for verification,” the workplace stated. “Once we have official confirmation and it’s legally verified, we expect to make a statement about it tomorrow.” [Friday] Morning.”
Abhayawardena’s office said it expected to receive a paper copy of the letter, but it would take longer as it would be sent from Singapore.
According to a highly placed government source, the letter was emailed after Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore. The source spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been publicly shared by the authorities.
Singapore stated Rajapaska had been allowed to enter the nation on a “personal go to”, but had neither sought nor granted asylum.
“It has been confirmed that Mr. Rajapaksa has been permitted to enter Singapore on a personal go to. He has not sought asylum and has not been granted any asylum,” a Singapore foreign ministry statement said. but does not grant requests for asylum.” ,
Rajapaksa promised to step down over the weekend after offended protesters barged into his official residence, floated in his pool and demanded the top of his household’s ruling dynasty. He left the Maldivian capital Male on a “Saudi flight”, a extremely positioned safety supply in Colombo advised CNN.
CNN believes the supply was referring to Saudia flight 788, which in response to the supply took off from Male at 11:30 am. According to the Changi Airport web site, the flight landed in Singapore at 7:17 pm native time on Thursday. CNN has contacted Saudia, the flag provider of Saudi Arabia, however has not heard again.
Rajapaksa was within the Maldives for a day after fleeing Sri Lanka within the early hours of Wednesday – the identical day he stated he would resign.
But the absence of a proper resignation letter raised questions concerning the intentions of an apparently self-exiled chief who, after leaving his island nation, appointed the prime minister as performing president.
Shortly after Rajapaksa left the nation, protesters stormed the workplace of performing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, demanding him. expulsion. Wickremesinghe responded by calling for an in a single day nationwide curfew.
Army spokesman Brigadier Nilantha Premaratne stated in a televised tackle that on Thursday, Wickremesinghe granted Sri Lanka’s armed forces particular powers of arrest, and “use of force” if essential to quell protests throughout the nation. instructed to do.
“In view of the increase in violent acts intended to cause damage to the armed forces or public property, protesters are urged to immediately abstain from all forms of violence or be prepared to face the consequences as members of the armed forces are subject to the use of force.” legitimately entitled to take action.” Premratna said.
Sri Lanka’s parliament will not convene until Rajapaksa formally submits his resignation letter, Speaker Abhayawardene said on Thursday.
Previously, parliament was expected to begin the process of selecting a new president on Saturday, with the goal of voting in a new leader by July 20.
That timeline is now on hold until Rajapaksa officially steps down.
Several protesters have vowed to continue the demonstrations until both men step down.
By Thursday morning, as questions loomed over Sri Lanka’s future, the streets of the commercial capital Colombo were calm.
A lawyer representing the People’s Protest Movement said on Thursday that all occupied buildings, except the presidential secretariat, would be handed back to the authorities.
“We wish to verify that this can be a peaceable protest and there’s no intention to resort to violence of any type,” Swastika Arulingam told reporters.
“It has all the time been a peaceable motion and can proceed to be so.”
But everywhere there are indications that the country remains on a knife edge.
Abandoned vehicles lined up on roads near gas stations amid severe fuel shortages. People are no longer able to drive to work, so they cycle instead. Some have taken to sleeping in their cars.
The Sri Lankan police force said a police officer was seriously injured during the protests and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. It said that an army constable was also injured.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday he was following events in Sri Lanka “very carefully” and called for “peaceable and democratic change”.
“It is necessary that the basis causes of the battle and the grievances of the protesters are addressed,” he wrote on Twitter. “I urge all social gathering leaders to undertake the spirit of compromise for peaceable and democratic transformation.”
Rukshana Rizvi in Colombo, Sri Lanka contributed to this report.
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