SRI-LANKAN CRISIS: CROWDS OF PROTESTERS GATHER OUTSIDE SRI LANKAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER’S OFFICE

Crowds of protesters in Colombo have now amassed outside the Sri Lankan parliament speaker’s office, video from the scene shows.

Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said during a televised briefing earlier Wednesday that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had confirmed his resignation to him via a phone call, but that he was still waiting on the formal letter. 

As per Sri Lanka’s constitution, Rajapaksa’s resignation is only considered official once the Speaker of the Parliament receives a letter of resignation.

Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives with first lady Ioma Rajapaksa earlier Wednesday.