<p>The Sri Lankan Police on Wednesday used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters near the Prime Minister's Office at Flower Road in state capital Colombo.</p>.<p>Protests so far on Wednesday around the state capital had been largely peaceful, with demonstrators chanting and giving speeches, the <em>BBC </em>reported.</p>.<p>An enthusiastic crowd gathered in Galle Face Green early Wednesday morning.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/sri-lanka-declares-state-of-emergency-as-president-flees-country-1126235.html" target="_blank">Sri Lanka declares State of Emergency as President flees country</a></strong></p>.<p>Chants of a popular phrase '<em>Aragalayata Jayawewa</em>', or 'Victory to the struggle' in Sinhalese -- which is commonly used at protests -- can be heard in the air, while some wave flags high in the air.</p>.<p>Others are listening to fiery speeches by fellow citizens who are flanked onstage by posters that say 'Go home Gota', referring to ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, <em>BBC </em>reported.</p>.<p>President Rajapaksa has fled Sri Lanka on a military jet, amid mass protests over its economic crisis.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/with-china-ditching-sri-lanka-indias-moment-to-step-up-1126260.html" target="_blank">With China ditching Sri Lanka, India's moment to step up</a></strong></p>.<p>The country's air force confirmed the 73-year-old flew to the Maldives with his wife and two security officials. They arrived in the capital Male at around 3 am on Wednesday, BBC reported.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa's departure ends a family dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for decades.</p>.<p>The president had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday, and had pledged to resign on July 13.</p>
<p>The Sri Lankan Police on Wednesday used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters near the Prime Minister's Office at Flower Road in state capital Colombo.</p>.<p>Protests so far on Wednesday around the state capital had been largely peaceful, with demonstrators chanting and giving speeches, the <em>BBC </em>reported.</p>.<p>An enthusiastic crowd gathered in Galle Face Green early Wednesday morning.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/sri-lanka-declares-state-of-emergency-as-president-flees-country-1126235.html" target="_blank">Sri Lanka declares State of Emergency as President flees country</a></strong></p>.<p>Chants of a popular phrase '<em>Aragalayata Jayawewa</em>', or 'Victory to the struggle' in Sinhalese -- which is commonly used at protests -- can be heard in the air, while some wave flags high in the air.</p>.<p>Others are listening to fiery speeches by fellow citizens who are flanked onstage by posters that say 'Go home Gota', referring to ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, <em>BBC </em>reported.</p>.<p>President Rajapaksa has fled Sri Lanka on a military jet, amid mass protests over its economic crisis.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/with-china-ditching-sri-lanka-indias-moment-to-step-up-1126260.html" target="_blank">With China ditching Sri Lanka, India's moment to step up</a></strong></p>.<p>The country's air force confirmed the 73-year-old flew to the Maldives with his wife and two security officials. They arrived in the capital Male at around 3 am on Wednesday, BBC reported.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa's departure ends a family dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for decades.</p>.<p>The president had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday, and had pledged to resign on July 13.</p>