Demonstrators demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa refused to leave the Presidential Palace on Sunday (10th) after the official residence was occupied on Saturday.
The head of state fled and vowed to resign later this week.
- Sri Lanka has a less violent Sunday and a climate of tension and uncertainty persists
- Sri Lankan Prime Minister offers his resignation after protesters stormed the President’s official residence
2 of 6 Sri Lankan uprising calls for resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
Sri Lankan uprising calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
According to the speaker of the parliament, the president said he would submit his resignation on “July 13 to ensure a peaceful transition”.
The country is experiencing a wave of protests. There is an unprecedented political and economic crisis that protesters are attributing to the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
3 out of 6 demonstrators protest in front of the Presidential Residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 10, 2022 — Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
A group of protesters demonstrate in front of the presidential residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 10, 2022 (Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R)
Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in the capital Colombo to demand that Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel, a scenario that has plunged a relatively prosperous country into chaos.
The UN on Sunday warned of the possibility of a serious humanitarian crisis.
4 of 6 postinvasion residences of the Sri Lankan Presidency — Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
Residences of the Sri Lankan Presidency after the invasion — Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
Invasion of the official residence
Protesters storm the swimming pool at the presidential residence in Sri Lanka
After the crowd stormed the Presidential Palace, the crowd roamed the luxurious surroundings, several people jumped into the pool and ransacked Rajapaksa’s wardrobe and belongings.
Rajapaksa boarded a naval ship and was taken from the island.
The 73yearold president refused to step down despite a spate of violence in May that left several dead and prompted the resignation of his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, the country’s prime minister.
But Gotabaya Rajapaksa finally threw in the towel.
5 out of 6 children play the piano installed in the presidential residence in Colombo — Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
Children play the piano installed in the presidential residence in Colombo Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
6 out of 6 intruders at the Presidential Residence in Colombo. President promises to step down by July 13 Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
Intruders at the President’s residence in Colombo. President promises to step down by July 13 Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte/R
Rajapaksa’s office was also occupied by protesters and another group set fire to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence despite the announcement of his resignation.
Footage released on social media shows the crowd cheering the fire, which broke out shortly after security forces attacked journalists.
Earlier, the police tried to disperse the protesters gathered in the administrative district, which led to riots.
Colombo’s main hospital said it was treating 105 wounded on Saturday and 55 remained hospitalized on Sunday. Among the patients were seven injured journalists.
General General Shavendra Silva called for calm.
“There is a possibility of solving the crisis situation peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” he said in a televised speech.
It remains uncertain whether any figure in the legislature would be able to muster sufficient support for Rajapaksa’s successor.
“We are approaching a dangerous uncertainty,” MP Dharmalingam Sithadthan, a member of the Tamil minority, told AFP. The politician pointed out that, paraphrasing Gotabaya Rajapaksa, “Gota should have resigned immediately without leaving a power vacuum.
Sri Lanka has been struggling with food shortages, power outages and rampant inflation for several months after the country ran out of dollar reserves needed for imports.
The government has imposed a $51 billion debt moratorium and is seeking a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF said Sunday it expected a “resolution of the current situation that would allow dialogue to resume.”
International resonance
The US government has urged Sri Lankan leaders to work “quickly” to find longterm solutions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian grain exports may have contributed to unrest in Sri Lanka and expressed fears it could spark more crises.
The European Union called on “all parties to work together and remain focused on a peaceful, democratic and orderly transition”.
Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. “I join in the pain of the people of Sri Lanka who continue to suffer the effects of political and economic instability,” the pope said after the Angelus blessing at the Vatican.