Thousands of angry protesters in Sri Lanka on Saturday stormed the Presidential building forcing the country’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee. The development took place on the 92nd day of the countrywide protests against the economic crisis plaguing the country.
Twitter has exploded with videos of angry protesters storming the official residence of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In one video, protesters could be seen taking control of Rajapaksa’s posh swimming pool. In another video, an ocean of humanity could be seen entering the parliament building.
Where Is Gotabaya Rajapaksa?
According to local media reports, Rajapaksa was airlifted to a safer location but his whereabouts have been kept secret to protect his safety. He continues to remain the country’s President and is being protected by a special unit of the Sri Lankan military.
However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe may take over as the new President if Rajapaksa chooses to step down from his post. Wickremesinghe was appointed the prime minister in May this year after Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to resign as protesters set his family home on fire as the island nation was gripped by a state of emergency.
I am loving it. Sri Lankans swimming in the Presidential Palace pool. pic.twitter.com/hMFYU7B0Xa
— Mir Mohammad Alikhan (@MirMAKOfficial) July 9, 2022
The Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament is scheduled to meet leaders of all political parties to find out ways to resolve the crisis.
Happening now #July9th massive protest in Colombo Sri Lanka, demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.#LKA #SriLanka #EconomicCrisisLK #SriLankaCrisis pic.twitter.com/RQpn7KPke6
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 💉 (@SriLankaTweet) July 9, 2022
One eyewitness told news agency Reuters that thousands of protesters swarmed into Colombo’s government district, shouting slogans against Rajapaksa and breaking through several police barricades to reach the Presidential building.
Sri Lankans are angry due to the worsening economic crisis in the country. Sri Lanka has literally run out of foreign currency, making it impossible for the country to buy fuel, food and medicine among other things. This is the worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka since the country’s independence more than 70 years ago.
What has also irked the people of Sri Lanka is the dynastic hold on the government by Rajapaska and his family members.