Sri Lanka’s beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has confirmed his resignation, says the prime minister’s office, after protesters stormed both leaders’ official residences.
Demonstrators are still occupying the presidential palace and prime ministerial residence and have refused to leave until the leaders step down.
The parliament speaker said on Saturday the president would resign on 13 July.
But many protesters were strongly sceptical of the announcement.
On Monday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said in a statement it had been officially informed by Mr Rajapaksa that he would step down on Wednesday. However, there has been no direct word from Mr Rajapaksa.
Per Sri Lanka’s constitution, his resignation can only formally be accepted when he resigns by letter to the parliament speaker – which has yet to happen.
Mr Wickremesinghe had earlier also said he would step down from his position.
Mr Rajapaksa’s location is currently undisclosed but military sources have told local media he is on a navy vessel in Sri Lankan waters.
His brother, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, is on a naval base in the country, the sources say.
Thousands descended on the capital on Saturday demanding the president’s resignation after months of protests.
Mr Rajapaksa has been blamed for the country’s economic mismanagement, which has caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine for months.
Protesters inside the palaces have refused to budge until both leaders leave office.
