New Delhi: The 73-year-old leader was appointed the 26th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the country’s worst economic crisis following the resignation of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government. According to the report, thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital Colombo broke through police barricades and stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence on Saturday in one of the largest anti-government marches in the crisis-hit country this year. Some protesters, carrying Sri Lankan flags and helmets, broke into the president’s residence, video footage and photos from local news channels showed.
Protestors enter the President’s House at Janadhipathi Mawatha in Colombo.#LKA #SriLanka #SriLankaCrisis pic.twitter.com/ol39OcpLm3
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 💉 (@SriLankaTweet) July 9, 2022
According to the report, the protesters broke into the President’s residence. According to media reports, Gunshots were heard in the air and tear gas was being fired continuously. Hundreds also milled about on the grounds outside the colonial-era white-washed building. No security officials were visible. At least 21 people, including two police were injured and hospitalised in the ongoing protests, hospital sources told media.
Massive crowd is flocking towards Colombo to join the July 9th protest.https://t.co/Rp39XkETdD #LKA #SriLanka #SriLankaCrisis #July9th pic.twitter.com/HwSwbhk9kZ
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 💉 (@SriLankaTweet) July 9, 2022
Scores of protesters packed in buses, trains and trucks from across the country took to the streets of Colombo to protest against the government, which failed to save them from economic ruin. Protesters waved black and national flags and chanted “Go home will have to go” using a generic abbreviated version of the president’s name.