On Saturday 9 July 2022, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka fled his official residence whilst thousands of protesters stormed the home as they continued their demand for his resignation.
The President was hurriedly transported to the Army headquarters hours before the invasion. Sri Lankan military personnel joined the demonstrators who broke police barricades and entered.
Dozens, including two police officers, are injured and receiving treatment, the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) confirmed.
The citizens have been complaining about poverty, the cost of living, and Rajapaksa’s handling of the economic crisis. The people are struggling to get jobs, pay rent, and buy food, medicine, and petroleum products, among others.
Videos and photos have emerged showing protesters breaking in and swimming in the President’s house. Some were cooking food in the kitchen as others moved about for a tour of the presidential residence. With a population of 22 million, the South Asian nation faces its worst financial crisis in decades.
At least 16 members of parliament from Rajapaksa’s party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna have asked him to resign. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has summoned an emergency meeting of party leaders.
By Mohamed Amara Gando
