Sri Lanka crisis LIVE: Gotabaya Rajapaka officially no longer Sri Lanka's President

Protesters have vacated the President's office, President's residence and the Prime Minister's office and handed it back to the authorities. 

Angry Sri Lankans had taken over these seats of power as part of their protests against the current govt

A curfew has been imposed from 12 noon today until 5am tomorrow in the Colombo District.

Sri Lankan Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Thursday informed Gotabaya Rajapaksa that he should submit his letter of resignation as the President as soon as possible or else he will consider other options to remove him from the office, according to a media report.

On Wednesday, the Parliament Speaker said that the President in a telephone conversation had informed that he would tender his letter of resignation during the day, before midnight. However, he has not done it yet.

Sri Lanka's military and the police made a special appeal to the people, especially the youth, to support the three forces -- Army, Navy and Air Force -- and the police to maintain law and order in the county.

He urged protesters not to vandalise state or private property.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has asserted the right of the citizens to protest. He said that Sri Lankans have been suffering for a long time because of the government's mismanagement and added that the President and Prime have to resign

 Sri Lanka's state-owned television channel Rupavihini suspended its telecast on Wednesday as protesters stormed the building, amidst the deepening political turmoil and economic crisis in the crisis-hit country.

The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) said that its engineers have suspended their live and recorded telecasts as the corporation premises are being surrounded by protesters.

Later, the channel resumed its transmission.

Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Wednesday said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed him over telephone that he will resign today as promised.

Rajapaksa, 73, fled to the Maldives in the morning before he was due to officially resign after months of protests against his government's economic mismanagement that has led to severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials in the country.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed as the country's acting President after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives. 

Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced that President Rajapaksa has appointed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to act to perform his functions while he is abroad.