By JAMILA HUSAIN  

Gotabaya Rajapaksa landed in the Maldives capital Male on Wednesday morning along with his wife Ioma Rajapaksa and two of his security officials on board a Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft as he fled the country hours before his resignation. Maldives President Ibrahim Solih had initially not consented in allowing Rajapaksa to land in the Maldives but following a special request by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, he finally gave his approval.  

Hours after arrival of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Maldives, Sri Lankans residing in Maldives have launched a protest demanding the Maldivian authorities to deport the Sri Lankan President soon.  

Video footage circulating on social media shows Sri Lankans staging a protest in the Maldivian capital, Male, holding the Sri Lankan national flag and placards with anti-government slogans.   

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to have fled to the Maldives with his family early yesterday.