Kochi: Angry public barged into Sri Lanka
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s palace protesting against the growing financial crisis and uncertainty in the island nation today.
The 73-year-old President was not in his place when the protesters invaded the palace in thousands, forcing the security forces into the back foot.
Gotabaya was taken to a safe location after intelligence agencies suggested the president of impending protests.
Following this he was moved to safety on Friday night.
The protesters, wearing black dress and flashing country’s flags, scaled barricades posted by the security personnel to prevent them from entering the premises.
The protest is the culmination of months of financial instability and shortage of food and fuel in the country.
A Facebook live stream from inside the palace showed people shouting slogans against the President.
The protesters also broke the gates of the secretariat and financial ministry racing the sea.
Foreign exchange shortage led to oil and food import.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is making efforts to summon a parliament session at the earliest.
Photo Credit: Twitter