President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has formally resigned, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced on Friday morning, ending days of ambiguity following the widely despised leader's departure from the island after being driven out by massive public demonstrations over a serious economic crisis. The Speaker's office stated that the resignation letter from Mr. Gotabaya, who is now in Singapore, needed to be authenticated and legality confirmed before it could be accepted. Last weekend, tens of thousands of protesters surrounded the President's residence and office, compelling him to flee for his life, first to the Maldives and then to Singapore. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister, was chosen to serve as president in the interim.

Key Points

• President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has formally resigned, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced on Friday morning.

• The Speaker's office stated that the resignation letter from Mr. Gotabaya, who is now in Singapore, needed to be authenticated and legality confirmed before it could be accepted.

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