Protestors storm Sri Lanka Prime Minister’s Office despite police resistance

ECONOMYNEXT – Protestors in Sri Lanka stormed the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo, hours after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and confusion over his resignation and the appointment of an acting president triggered a wave of protest.

Thousands gathered onto Flower Road, Colombo, Wednesday July 13 morning met stiff resistance from police who fired teargas and water canon jets into the crowd, but the relentless protestors broke down a police barricade and made their way into the PM’s office premises by afternoon.

The protestors are now occupying the PM’s office in addition to the President’s House, the PM’s official residence Temple Trees, and the Presidential Secretariat.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence was burnt down on Saturday July 09, though it unclear at present who was behind the incident. Protestors at the premier’s office, however, have blocked people from entering the premises to prevent property damage. However, some property damage has already been observed.

Tens of thousands of protestors congregated in Colombo Fort that day in an attempt to force the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa has now fled to the Maldives, and PM Wickremesinghe has been appointed Acting President.

It is possible that Wickreseminghe is both Sri Lanka’s Acting President and Prime Minister at present, according to attorney-at-law Gehan Gunatillake.

Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said the president will send in his resignation letter on Wednesday within the day and that a new president will be elected in parliament on July 20. (Colombo/Jul13/2022)