Protesters storm Sri Lankan president’s house, set fire to prime minister’s home
Asia-Pacific, News July 9, 2022 1 Comment on Protesters storm Sri Lankan president’s house, set fire to prime minister’s homeThousands of protesters have broken into the Sri Lankan prime minister’s private residence and set it on fire, hours after they stormed the president’s official residence in one of the biggest anti-government marches in the island country.
The protests turned violent amid public anger over the deepening economic crisis as the country of 22 million people is facing severe food, fuel, and power crises. This is the country’s worst financial turmoil in seven decades. Local reports said that the people are “absolutely fed up without food, gas or fuel.”
Protesters were seen swimming in the presidential palace’s pool and cooking in the kitchen while holding the country’s national flags. Some people lay on beds, and others made “statements” from the conference room that the prime minister and president must immediately quit.
At least 31 people, including two police officers, have been injured in the protests, according to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called an emergency meeting of political party leaders and requested the speaker to summon parliament. He said that he will resign only when all parties have agreed on a new government.
“Today in this country we have a fuel crisis, a food shortage, we have the head of the World Food Program coming here and we have several matters to discuss with the IMF. Therefore, if this government leaves there should be another government,” Wickremesinghe said in a statement.
Sri Lankan president to step down on July 13
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he will step down from his post on July 13, the parliament’s speaker announced late at night after a dramatic day that saw tens of thousands of people protesting on the streets.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a video statement Rajapaksa had informed him that he will step down from his post. “The decision to step down on 13 July was taken to ensure a peaceful handover of power,” Abeywardena said. “I, therefore, request the public to respect the law and maintain peace,” he said.
The news of the president’s decision triggered celebratory fireworks in different parts of Colombo city.
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[…] economic crisis have simmered for months and came to a head last weekend when thousands of protesters stormed the president’s official residence and set the prime minister’s private residence on fire. Hundreds are still occupying the […]