:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_59edd422c0c84a879bd37670ae4f538a/internal_photos/bs/2022/W/c/3oLvxcR5WGOhf16cImcQ/2022-07-09t111226z-1001723581-rc288v9zxqpx-rtrmadp-3-sri-lanka-crisis.jpg "Video: Protesters storm the presidential residence in Sri Lanka | Globalism")
Thousands of people stormed the official residence of the President in Colombo, Sri LankaThis Saturday (9). The country is experiencing an economic crisis, and there have been public demonstrations for months.
Television footage showed that protesters smashed gates in other government buildings, such as the presidential secretariat and the Ministry of Finance.
Protesters storm the presidential palace in Sri Lanka
They demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. According to Defense Ministry sources, he has not been at the official headquarters since Friday for security reasons.
The army and police tried to prevent the protesters from entering the buildings, but failed.
Protesters inside the Sri Lankan presidential residence in Colombo on July 9, 2022 – Photo: Reuters
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called an emergency meeting of party leaders to discuss the situation and find a quick solution. The statement said he had asked the president to convene parliament. Wickremesinghe has also been moved to a safe location.
Protesters inside the official residence
A Facebook live broadcast from inside the president’s home showed hundreds of protesters, some draped in flags, crowded halls and corridors, chanting anti-Rajapaksa slogans.
Protesters in the garden of the presidential residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on July 9, 2022 – Photo: Reuters
The demonstrators entered the swimming pool of the official residence, and circulated pictures on social networking sites.
People also roamed the land outside the building.
At least 39 people, including two police officers, were injured and taken to hospital in the protests.
Without tourism, the country ran out of dollars
Sri Lanka is a country of 22 million people in Southeast Asia.
The economic crisis started because the country lacked dollars, and therefore they were unable to import fuel, food and medicine.
This is considered the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.
Inflation was 54.6% in June and is expected to reach 70% in the coming months.
The government is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund a $3 billion loan, to restructure part of the external debt, and is seeking to borrow money from international bodies.
Sri Lanka’s economy is highly dependent on tourism for the dollar, and with the Covid-19 virus, the country has been left without its main income. In addition, the government was already in debt. With the rise in oil prices, the situation worsened. Last year, the government banned the import of chemical fertilizers that devastated agriculture. In November, purchases were allowed again.
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Oliver Ashford is a contributor to Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter. With an emphasis on accuracy, relevance and accessibility, Oliver aims to present useful information and engaging stories in a straightforward manner, making complex topics easier for readers to understand and follow.