Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country on a military jet, amid mass protests over its economic crisis.
Reports say the 73-year-old arrived in the capital of the Maldives, Male, at around 03:00 local time (22:00 GMT).
Mr Rajapaksa’s departure ends a family dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for decades.
He had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday.
The president had earlier pledged to resign on Wednesday 13 July.
His brother, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has also left the country with sources saying to be heading to the US.
As news of the president’s departure filtered through, noisy chanting broke out among demonstrators at Galle Face Green, the main protest site in the capital city, Colombo.
Sri Lankans blame President Rajapaksa’s administration for their worst economic crisis in decades.
For months they have been struggling with daily power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel, food and medicines.
The leader, who enjoys immunity from prosecution while he is president, is believed to have wanted to flee abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new administration.
BBC/Maxwell Oyekunle
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