The Sri Lankan president suddenly fled his home

Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Raja has fled his official residence amid angry protests over the economic crisis.

A large crowd surrounded the Sri Lankan president's home and demanded his resignation, accusing the government of mismanagement of "painful misery."  The report added, "The president was taken into custody. He remains the president, and is protected by a military unit."

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will take over the presidency if Raja Pax resigns.  An emergency cabinet meeting was convened to consider the political crisis.  Members of the mob broadcast live footage on social media showing hundreds of people passing by the president's palace.

"We are awaiting instructions. We do not yet know where he is, but we know he is with the Sri Lankan navy and is OK," AFP quoted a senior government official as saying.  "