After protesters stormed the palace of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency in Sri Lanka, he fled on a military aircraft.
On Saturday, July 9, thousands of people, including children and women, poured into President Rajapaksa’s extravagant mansion as frustration from an unprecedented economic crisis reached boiling point.
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Rajapaksa was hiding from protesters since his home was stormed. He boarded a military plane but it is not clear where he is going.
Basil Rajapaksa is his brother, and a former Finance Minister. He has also fled the Island. BBCIt has been reported.
Rajapaksa’s younger brother is said to be headed for the US, even though he was prevented from leading Sri Lanka 24hrs ago.
This happened just days after protestors set fire at the Colombo home of Prime Minister Ranil Wijesinghe, prompting them to dramatically resign.
Protesters have been calling for Rajapaksa, a member of a powerful clan that has dominated politics over the past decades, to quit for several months.
Dramatic footage captured protestors in large numbers outside and inside his house, carrying national flags and chanting. Hundreds of them were seen taking a dip in the garden pool to take a refreshing dip.
People were seen engaging in pillow fights in the rooms of the ransacked palace, and even enjoying a sing-along at the grand piano. Some even managed to squeeze in a quick workout at the fancy gym.
In the “Gordon Garden”Families enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park, while Buddhist monks in saffronrobes marvelled over the marble floors.
Monk Sri Sumeda stated that leaders who live in luxury have no idea of how commoners manage.
“This shows what can be done when people decide to exercise their power.”
Outside, the building barriers were removed and a black banner was raised from a pole.
Security personnel tried to stop the demonstrators, but they were overwhelmed by the hoard who pushed through fences and ran across the lawns to enter the building.
Scuffles resulted in the injuries of at least 34 people, including two police officers.
Protesters also took over the President’s building at the coast and tore down the iron fencing.
Rajapaksa fled from the presidential palace Saturday, using a back door under military cover. This was just minutes before protesters stormed it with tens to thousands.
Although the leader has not commented directly, he said that he would step down as country’s parliamentary speaker on July 13.
The palace’s presidential guards, who are heavily armed and awaiting orders, are still present. However they are enjoying their time with new visitors and taking selfies with those in charge of the new corridors.
The PM of Sri Lanka announced last month that the economy of the country had collapsed and that it was bankrupt.
Sri Lanka’s current crisis can be attributed to many factors, including the Covid pandemic and huge tax cuts.
The country is currently facing the worst financial crisis of its history as its leaders attempt to negotiate a bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Due to the economic collapse, there has been a severe shortage of essential products. People are now struggling to purchase goods such as food and fuel.
According to a report by The Guardian, inflation has risen to a record 54% while food prices have soared an alarming 82%. Al Jazeera.
Sri Lanka announced that in April it will suspend the repayment of foreign loans due to currency shortages.
Its foreign debt totals $51billion, $28billion of which it must pay by 2027.
There have been months of protests calling for the resignation and chanting “Political Chaos” throughout the country.
Julie Chung, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, asked for peaceful protests and urged the police and military to provide security and space to allow peaceful protestors to demonstrate.
“Chaos & force will not fix the economy or bring the political stability that Sri Lankans need right now,”Chung stated this in a tweet.
The unrest in Sri Lanka has led the UK government to put the country back on the travel ban list.
TUI has cancelled flights from Sri Lankan airports.
In a statement, the Foreign Office stated: “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to the impact of the current economic crisis.”
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