President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled Sri Lanka on a military jet, after protestors stormed the palace following the island's economic crisis.
The 73-year-old, together with his wife and two security officials, flew to the Maldives, an island chain south-west of Sri Lanka, according to the country's air force.
His arrival in the Maldives sparked protests there as well, calling on the Maldivian government to stop offering the president a safe haven.
His brother, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has also left Sri Lanka and is said to be heading for the US.
The president has pledged to resign by Wednesday, but no official resignation letter has yet been received.
He has appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as acting president, in his absence.
Mr Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency and ordered the military to restore order, after protesters also stormed his office and demanded his resignation.
Mr. Rajapaksa's departure, ends a family dynasty that has dominated Sri Lanka's politics for the past 20 years.
