Thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka broke through police barricades and stormed into the official presidential residence.
In one of the largest anti-government rallies in the country this year, protesters are demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Thousands of people poured into the government district in Sri LankaColombo capital Colombo, chanting slogans against the president and removing some police barriers to access his home.
Police opened fire from the air but were unable to stop the angry mob that surrounded the mansion.
Protesters storm the presidential palace in Sri Lanka and try their hand at swimming pools
Image of protesters inside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s home after he fled. Photo: Reuters
Hospital sources said that at least 39 people including two policemen have now been injured because of the unrest.
The president has been moved from his official premises to a secure location as a safety precaution, according to two Defense Department sources, ahead of a rally expected for the weekend.
Hundreds of flag-carrying protesters were seen packed inside the beachfront property and used the pool on a Facebook live stream.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe – who has also been moved to a safe location – summoned political party leaders for an emergency meeting following the violence.
He has also asked parliament to summon the speaker, a statement from his office said.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has urged people to protest peacefully and asked the police to give protesters space – as she warned “chaos and force will not fix the economy”. “.
Sri Lanka, home to 22 million people, is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, since independence in 1948.
Inflation hit a record 54.6% in June and is expected to rise to 70%, putting pressure on people short of money.
Protesters storm the presidential palace in Sri Lanka. Photo: News cutter
Protesters in the garden of the presidential house in Colombo. Photo: Reuters
People stormed the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to protest the economic crisis. Photo: Reuters
The country has been struggling with a severe foreign exchange shortage that has restricted imports of essential fuel, food and medicine.
Many blame the decline of Mr. Rajapaksa, who has faced repeated calls to step down.
Protester Sampath Perera, 37, criticized the president for “clinging to power” and warned: “We won’t stop until he listens to us.”
Crowds gathered outside the president’s office in Colombo. Photo: AP
A tear gas shell fired by police hit a crowd of protesters in Colombo. Photo: AP
Sri Lankan authorities attempt to disperse protesters in Colombo on Saturday, July 9 Pic: AP
Anger has grown in recent weeks as fuel shipments have dwindled, leading to gasoline and diesel being allocated to essential services.
The UK Foreign Office has warned against all essential travel to the countrywas left in financial turmoil due to economic mismanagement and the impact of COVID pandemic.
In April this year, Sri Lanka announced it would stop paying foreign loans due to a shortage of foreign currency.
A man covers his face after tear gas was fired in the Sri Lankan capital. Photo: AP
Protesters wear gas masks after tear gas was released Pic: AP
It has £42.4 billion in accumulated debt – of which about half, £23.3 billion, must be repaid by the end of 2027.
The crisis has severely damaged the prestige of the Rajapaksa political dynasty, which has ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades.
One of Mr Rajapaksa’s brothers stepped down as prime minister last month, two other brothers and a grandson had resigned from the cabinet before, but Mr Rajapaksa remained in power.
Mr Wickremesinghe, who took office as prime minister in May, is also facing calls to step down for failing to fill holes in the country’s finances.
