Sri Lanka President flees as protesters storm residence over poverty (Photos/Video)
Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled his official residence on Saturday as thousands of protesters stormed his home as they continued their demand for his resignation.
The President was hurriedly transported to the Army headquarters hours before the invasion.
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Sri Lankan military personnel joined the demonstrators who broke police barricades and entered.
Dozens, including two police officers, were injured and are receiving treatment, the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) confirmed.
The citizens have been complaining about the harsh economic crisis which has made the cost of living unbearable and the non-challant attitude of Rajapaksa in handling the issue.
Videos and photos showing protesters breaking in and swimming in the President’s house have emerged. 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.
See video below:
