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Protesters storm Sri Lanka president’s home

 (AFP Photo)

Thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka have broken through police barricades and stormed the president’s official residence.

In one of the largest anti-government marches in the country this year, the demonstrators are demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, announced he would quit on Saturday afternoon.

“To ensure the continuation of the government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the party Leaders today, to make way for an all-party government,” he said.

He stepped down after thousands of people descended on the government district in Sri Lanka‘s capital Colombo, shouting slogans against the president and dismantling several police barricades to reach his house.

Police fired shots in the air but were unable to stop the angry crowd from surrounding the residence.

Protesters storm presidential palace in Sri Lanka and try the swimming pool
Image:Protesters storm presidential palace in Sri Lanka and try the swimming pool
Demonstrators pictured inside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's house after he fled. Pic: Reuters
Image:Demonstrators pictured inside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house after he fled. Pic: Reuters

At least 39 people including two police officers have now been hurt by the unrest, hospital sources said.

Protestors also assembled outside the Presidential Secretariat – the office of the president – and the home of prime minister.

Both Mr Rajapaksa and Mr Wickremesinghe have both been moved to a secure location as a safety precaution, defence ministry sources said.

Hundreds of flag-bearing protestors were seen packed inside the president’s sea-front property and using the swimming pool on a Facebook livestream.

Mr Wickremesinghe, who was appointed in May, resigned after summoning political party leaders for an emergency meeting in the wake of the violence.

He also requested parliament to be recalled by the speaker, a statement from his office said.

US ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung called on people to protest peacefully and for police to give demonstrators 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 it achieved independence in 1948.

Inflation hit a record 54.6% in June and is expected to soar to 70%, piling pressure on the cash-strapped population.

Protesters storm presidential palace in Sri Lanka. Pic: News Cutter
Image:Protesters storm presidential palace in Sri Lanka. Pic: News Cutter
Protestors pictured in the garden of the president's home in Colombo. Pic: Reuters
Image:Protestors pictured in the garden of the president’s home in Colombo. Pic: Reuters
People stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's living quarters in protest over the economic crisis. Pic: Reuters
Image:People stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s living quarters in protest over the economic crisis. Pic: Reuters

The country has been struggling under a severe foreign exchange shortage that has limited essential imports of fuel, food and medicine.

Many blame the decline on Mr Rajapaksa, who has faced ongoing calls to resign.

Protestor Sampath Perera, 37, criticised the president for “clinging on to power” and warned: “We will not stop until he listens to us.”

Crowds assembled outside the president's office in Colombo. Pic: AP
Image:Crowds assembled outside the president’s office in Colombo. Pic: AP
A tear gas shell fired by police lands in the crowd of protestors in Colombo. Pic: AP
Image:A tear gas shell fired by police lands in the crowd of protestors in Colombo. Pic: AP
Sri Lankan authorities attempt to disperse protestors in Colombo on Saturday, 9 July Pic: AP
Image:Sri Lankan authorities attempt to disperse protestors in Colombo on Saturday, 9 July Pic: AP

Anger intensified in recent weeks as fuel shipments dwindled, leading to petrol and diesel being rationed for essential services.

The British Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to the country, which has been left in financial turmoil due to economic mismanagement and the impact of the COVID pandemic.

In April this year, Sri Lanka announced it was suspending repayment of foreign loans, blaming a foreign currency shortage.

A man covers his face after tear gas is fired in the Sri Lankan capital. Pic: AP
Image:A man covers his face after tear gas is fired in the Sri Lankan capital. Pic: AP
Protestors wear gas masks after tear gas is dispersed Pic: AP
Image:Protestors wear gas masks after tear gas is dispersed Pic: AP

It has accumulated debts of £42.4billion – of which around half, £23.3bn, must be repaid by the end of 2027.

The crisis has severely dented the reputation of the Rajapaksa political dynasty, which has ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades.

Mr Rajapaksa has so far held onto power after his brother resigned as prime minister in May and two other brothers and a nephew quit their cabinet posts earlier this year.

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