Sri Lanka is suffering from a severe economic crisis. The corona pandemic has hit the tourism industry hard. The President is about to resign.
Colombo – Hundreds of protesters stormed the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka. Now he is about to resign. Security forces were able to bring the head of state to safety. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe could take over from Rujapaska if he steps down.
However, he was unable to calm the anger of the demonstrators: In the afternoon, a crowd also broke into Wickremesinghe’s private residence and set it on fire. Mass protests have been going on in Sri Lanka for weeks because of a severe economic crisis.
Sri Lanka: Demonstrators gather in front of Rajapaksa’s official residence
According to the police, hundreds of thousands of people had gathered at Rajapaksa’s official residence on Saturday morning (July 9). Television footage showed hundreds of them climbing over the fence of the presidential palace. Soldiers fired into the air to push the crowd back until Rajapaksa was safe, according to defense sources.
Afterwards, the demonstrators strolled through the palace. Live video on online networks showed some splashing in the president’s swimming pool and lounging in the palace’s bedrooms. People also broke into the nearby presidential office, in front of which people have been camping for three months.
Rajapaksa is safe
The head of state was brought “to safety” outside the capital and is being protected by the military in a secret location. Private TV stations showed a convoy of vehicles at Colombo International Airport. It is still unclear whether Rajapaksa will leave the country. The demonstrators blame him and the government for the country’s catastrophic economic situation.
The authorities had imposed a curfew on Friday to get the protests under control. However, under pressure from opposition parties, lawyers and human rights activists, the order has since been lifted. Around 20,000 soldiers and police officers were sent to Colombo to protect the President, according to the authorities.
Sri Lanka: Many people were hospitalized after protests
Three people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds in Colombo’s main hospital. Another 36 were treated for breathing difficulties after the use of tear gas. Because of the serious economic crisis, the government is no longer able to finance the most important imports such as food, fuel and medicines.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Russia for help. Mass protests against the government escalated for the first time in May. Nine people were killed and hundreds more injured. The government of Mahnda Rajapaksa then resigned. The brother of the resigning head of government, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, remained in office.
Corona pandemic has hit Sri Lanka hard
A major trigger of worst economic crisis since the South Asian country gained independence in 1948 was the slump in international tourism as a result of the corona pandemic. Critics accuse the government of mismanagement. (mse / afp)
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