Singapore

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who flew from the Maldives arrived in Singapore on board a Saudia Airlines flight on Thursday evening.

Rajapaksa is however likely to be in Singapore only on transit and is expected to fly into the Middle East later in the day.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 73, had gone into hiding after crowds of protesters stormed his residence on July 9.

He had announced that he will hand over his resignation on Wednesday.

Rajapaksa along with his wife escaped to the Maldives on Wednesday where local people and Sri Lankan expatriates protested outside the Maldivian President’s house demanding he be sent back to his home country.

Earlier in the day, protesters announced that they will peacefully hand over government-occupied buildings including President's house, Presidential Secretariat, and Prime Minister's Office, aiming to restore peace in the country.

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Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Army soldiers are said to have been authorised to use necessary force to prevent the destruction of property and life amid the ongoing protests in the island nation in view of the severe economic and political crisis.