The images show protesters inside the building and hanging banners from the balcony, as well as swimming in the residence’s pool.
Rajapaksa is not at the scene and has been moved, security officials told CNN. It is unclear how many security personnel are at the site.
At least 31 people, including two police officers, were injured in the protests and are receiving treatment, according to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). According to the police, two of the injured are hospitalized in critical condition.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called an emergency meeting of party leaders to discuss the current situation and reach a resolution, his office said on Saturday. He also asked the Speaker of the House to call MPs.
The South Asian nation of 22 million is suffering its worst economic crisis in recent history, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine and fuel.
A police curfew imposed earlier in several police stations in Sri Lanka’s western province was lifted on Saturday. Several politicians and the Sri Lankan Bar Association have referred to the curfew as “illegal”, saying there have been no cases of violence to justify the measure.
Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in recent months, calling for the country’s leaders to step down amid accusations of mismanaging the economy.
In several major cities, including Colombo, hundreds are forced to queue for hours to buy fuel, sometimes clashing with police and the military as they wait.
Images from Colombo depict a chaotic scene, with images showing protesters running from tear gas and clashing with armored police.
Schools have been suspended and fuel has been limited to essential services. Patients cannot travel to hospitals due to fuel shortages and food prices are skyrocketing.
Train frequency has been reduced, forcing commuters to squeeze into compartments and even sit precariously on them as they commute to work.
Wickremesinghe said the country has started talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the country’s economy.
This week, he told parliament that talks with the IMF had been “difficult” as he entered the discussion as a “bankrupt” country rather than a developing country.
CNN’s Irene Nasser contributed reporting.
title: “Sri Lankan Protesters Stormed The Presidential Palace As Thousands Of Protesters " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-01” author: “Gary Whatley”
His statement comes after a meeting of party leaders, held by the speaker of Sri Lanka’s parliament, agreed to call on the president and prime minister to step down after an “overwhelming demand”, wrote Sri Lankan MP Rauf Hakim on Saturday.
Wickremesinghe will first have to wait until Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps down and a new government is formed. Until then he will remain in place.
Anger reached unprecedented levels in the South Asian nation of 22 million on Saturday, as more than 100,000 people gathered outside Rajapaksa’s residence, calling for his resignation.
Video broadcast on Sri Lankan television and social media showed protesters entering the Presidential Palace — Rajapaksa’s office and residence in the commercial capital — after breaking through police cordons. The images show protesters inside the building and hanging banners from the balcony, as well as swimming in the residence’s pool.
Rajapaksa is not at the scene and has been moved, security officials told CNN. It is unclear how many security personnel are at the site.
Protesters then breached Wickremesinghe’s official residence, known as Temple Trees, according to local media reports, while videos of protesters entering the gates of Wickremesinghe’s residence circulated on social media on Saturday.
Wickremesinghe had earlier been taken to a safe location, his office confirmed.
At least 31 people, including two police officers, were injured in the protests and are receiving treatment, according to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). According to the police, two of the injured are hospitalized in critical condition.
Earlier on Saturday, Wickremesinghe called an emergency meeting of party leaders to discuss the current situation and reach a resolution, his office said. He also asked the Speaker of the House to call MPs.
Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis in recent history, leaving millions of people struggling to buy food, medicine and fuel.
A police curfew imposed earlier in several police stations in Sri Lanka’s western province was lifted on Saturday. Several politicians and the Sri Lankan Bar Association have referred to the curfew as “illegal”, saying there have been no cases of violence to justify the measure.
In a statement on Saturday, the Bar Association called on Rajapaksa to “consider whether he can continue” in light of the protesters storming the President’s House. He also urged the government and MPs to “immediately ensure that the nation’s political stability is secured immediately. There should be no delay in securing this transition.”
Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in recent months, calling for the country’s leaders to step down amid accusations of mismanaging the economy.
In several major cities, including Colombo, hundreds are forced to queue for hours to buy fuel, sometimes clashing with police and the military as they wait.
Images from Colombo depict a chaotic scene, with images showing protesters running from tear gas and clashing with armored police.
Schools have been suspended and fuel has been limited to essential services. Patients cannot travel to hospitals due to fuel shortages and food prices are skyrocketing.
Train frequency has been reduced, forcing commuters to squeeze into compartments and even sit precariously on them as they commute to work.
Wickremesinghe said the country has started talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the country’s economy.
On Tuesday, he told parliament that talks with the IMF were “difficult” as they entered the discussion as a “bankrupt” country rather than a developing one.
CNN’s Irene Nasser contributed reporting.
