Kathmandu,

July 14,

Sri Lanka is still awaiting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation letter a day after he told the Speaker that he will send it. 

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is currently in Maldives with his wife, will travel to Saudi Arabia via Singapore, reported news agency AP. Parliament is expected to name a new full-time president next week. Wickremesinghe was the party’s first choice, although no decision had been taken, while prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken over as the acting president and imposed emergency.

Meanwhile, at least 45 people were hospitalised following a standoff between the police and protesters who had stormed Rajapaksa-ally Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office demanding the PM’s resignation. Local media said a 26-year-old protester who was hospitalised after being tear-gassed died of breathing difficulties.