COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka fled the country on Wednesday, according to three immigration officials, after months of demonstrations demanding that he leave office culminated with protesters storming his official residence in Colombo, the capital.
Mr. Rajapaksa left on an Air Force plane overnight, said the officials, who declined to be named given the political situation.
The island nation is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, exacerbated by government mismanagement and missteps. Protests over a severe shortage of food, medicine and fuel have lasted for months. Mr. Rajapaksa went into hiding after protesters took over his office and residence on Saturday and told allies he was resigning.