The Sri Lankan Parliament has accepted the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The letter was flown in from Singapore last night and its authenticity has now been verified.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said a new president would be appointed “quickly and successfully” – with the process set to be completed within seven days.
Mr Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka on Wednesday after anger grew over an economic crisis – with protesters storming the president’s home, and the prime minister’s official residence.
He initially fled to the Maldives on a military plane with his wife and two security guards, but later went to Singapore.
Initially, the embattled chairman sent an email to confirm that he was resigning.
There were jubilant scenes in the capital Colombo after the resignation was confirmed – with crowds setting off firecrackers and dancing in the streets.
