The Sri Lankan prime minister’s office has confirmed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country.

Rajapaksa left for the Maldives hours before he was expected to resign amid widespread protests over his handling of a devastating  economic crisis.

Anger against PM and acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe grows after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees to Maldives.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a state of emergency across the island nation, with the parliament speaker saying Wickremesinghe has been appointed acting president by Rajapaksa.

Protesters also continue to occupy the official residences of the president and the prime minister after both buildings were stormed on Saturday.

Sri Lanka is said to be facing a severe shortage of fuel and other essential supplies and is seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.