10th July, 2022
People Power is still potent as over 100,000 demonstrators stormed the office and home of the president of Sri Lanka on Saturday, forcing him to flee and resign.
Sri Lankan Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, effective July 13.
The announcement came after Abeywardena called on Rajapaksa to resign following a meeting of party leaders.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe earlier confirmed he will also resign. Three members of cabinet also resigned.
“To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government,” Wickremesinghe tweeted.
“To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister.”
Rules set forth by the Sri Lankan constitution would install Abeywardena as acting president for a maximum 30 days, and the Parliament will choose a new president to complete the remaining two years of Abeywardena’s term.
The announcements came as more than 100,000 protesters took to the streets of the capital, Colombo, calling for the president and prime minister to resign amid an economic crisis that left millions of residents struggling to afford essentials including food, medicine and fuel.
The country’s schools have been suspended and fuel has been limited to essential services.
The protesters forced their way into the official residences of the president and prime minister on Saturday.
Photos and videos from President’s House show protesters hanging banners from balconies, swimming in the residence’s swimming pool and cooking food in the president’s kitchen.
Health officials in Colombo said at least 50 people have been injured in clashes with security forces amid Saturday’s protests, with three of the injured sustaining gunshot wounds.
A U.N. statement issued Friday called on “Sri Lankan authorities to show restraint in the policing of assemblies and ensure every necessary effort to prevent violence.”
Frustration with the economic crisis boiled over on Saturday when a huge crowd of protesters surged passed armed guards into the presidential palace and took it over. Furniture and artefacts were smashed, and some took the opportunity to frolic in its swimming pool.
About 45 people were brought injured into a main hospital on Saturday, a hospital official said, but there were no reports of deaths in the otherwise peaceful takeover.
On Sunday, amazed ordinary folk took the opportunity to tour through the colonial-era building. Members of the security forces, some with assault rifles, stood outside the compound but did not stop people from going in.
Among those taking a look was 61-year-old handkerchief seller B.M. Chandrawathi, who sauntered into a first-floor bedroom accompanied by her daughter and grandchildren.
