The president of Sri Lanka leaves the country on a military plane after protests against his government

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Sri Lankan

left the country early Wednesday on a military plane bound for the

following widespread protests against him, according to reports from local authorities.

The 73-year-old president, his wife and a bodyguard left the country aboard an Antonov-32 plane that took off from the main international airport, immigration officials told AFP.

"Their passports were stamped and they boarded the special air force flight," an immigration official said.

There was no immediate confirmation that the Rajapaksa had reached the Maldives, an archipelago southeast of Sri Lanka in the

.

The plane was held for more than an hour on the runway without being able to take off after a mix-up over permission to land in the Maldives, according to airport officials.

"There were some moments of anxiety, but in the end everything worked out," said an agent on condition of anonymity.

"The plane is due to land at

" he added.

Rajapaksa vowed to step down on Wednesday and open the way for a "peaceful transition" after massive protests against his rule.

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