Thousands are demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the worst economic crisis since 1948
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reportedly had to flee his residence in the capital, Colombo, as thousands of protesters encircled the compound, demanding his resignation.
A local source told AFP on Saturday that the head of state was “escorted to safety,” with troops firing warning shots to keep protesters at bay.
According to Reuters, which cited Defense Ministry sources, Rajapaksa had already been whisked off to another location on Friday ahead of the planned rally over the weekend. Attempts by security forces to prevent demonstrators from entering the presidential residence have apparently failed, an eyewitness told the media outlet.
Footage published by local TV channel NewsFirst showed protesters, some with Sri Lankan flags in their hands, forcing their way into the compound. A Facebook livestream from…
