Insider
- Thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital of Colombo have stormed the presidential residence.
- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been moved for his own safety.
- Rajapaksa declared bankruptcy on Tuesday as the country sees the worst financial crash in decades.
Thousands of protesters in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital of Colombo have stormed the presidential residence, according to reports.
The angry crowds forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee his residence, as ministry sources told Reuters that the head of state had been moved over fears for his safety.
Videos from local TV news NewsFirst channel show protesters breaking into the grounds of the colonial-era president’s residence.
—Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka (@NewsfirstSL) July 9, 2022
The local news site also stated that military personnel has now joined the civilian protesters, in Sri Lanka’s biggest city .
The protests are in reaction to a dire economic crisis. Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared the country of 22 million people “bankrupt” on Tuesday.
Experts blame political mismanagement and rising debts to China as the reason behind the crash.
Flights out of the country are set to be halted as the state runs out of fuel.
Sri Lankans have recently had to wait for days in order to get fuel, whilst basic foodstuffs have doubled in price.
Inflation in the South Asian country has reached 54.6%.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
