with videoOne of the biggest protests this year against the Sri Lankan government has culminated today in the storming of the presidential palace in Colombo by thousands of demonstrators. They also broke into the residence and demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It had already been brought to safety before, defense sources report. The prime minister says he will resign as soon as parliament agrees on a new government.
Foreign editors
Latest update:
09-07-22, 16:32
Protesters blame the president for Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the worst since the country gained independence in 1948. There has been a shortage of food, medicines and fuel for months. Negotiations are underway with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a financial bailout.
Two months ago, popular anger reached a boiling point. Protesters set fire to dozens of politicians’ homes and hundreds of vehicles. Eight people were killed and more than 200 injured. Those protests have led to the departure of Rajapaksa’s relatives from the government. But the president himself refuses to resign.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has indicated today that he is willing to do so, as soon as there is agreement on a new government.
tear gas
The prime minister made his statement after thousands of protesters surrounded the presidential palace today. They managed to break into the home despite attempts by security forces to stop them. The police barricades did not stop them and water cannons and tear gas were used against the crowd. According to a witness, shots were also fired in the air. At least 34 people, including two police officers, were injured in the storm.
A live stream on Facebook showed hundreds of demonstrators walking around with flags inside. They chanted slogans against the president.
Rajapaksa was said to have been moved to another location on Friday due to concerns about his safety. The government had imposed an indefinite curfew that day, but ended it Saturday morning after objections from lawyers and human rights groups, among others. The measure hadn’t stopped people from taking to the streets.
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