Sri Lanka: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees the country

Sri Lanka: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees the country on military jet By Matt Murphy BBC News Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country amid mass protests over its economic crisis, and landed in the Maldives. The 73-year-old arrived in the capital city, Male, at around 03:00 local time (22:00 GMT), the BBC understands. Mr Rajapaksa left aboard a military jet, ending a familial dynasty that has ruled the country for decades. He had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday. His brother, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has also left the country, sources have told the BBC.