#watch | Sri Lanka: A large crowd gathers outside the President’s Secretariat in Colombo… https://t.co/LafDxq7xvV
— The Times of India (@timesofindia) 1657366471000
Rajapaksa, who has been facing resignation demands since March, was using the president House His residence and office as protesters came to occupy the entrance of his office in early April.
According to sources, the President was thrown out of his residence on Friday in anticipation of Saturday’s protests. His whereabouts were unknown as protesters have now occupied both his office and official residence.
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Navy ship boarded: report
It has come to the fore in media reports that the goods were taken there. Sri Lanka navy ship Gajabahu Anchored at Colombo harbour.
“The Harbor Master at Colombo Port said that a group boarded the SLNS Sindhurala and SLNS Gajabahu and left the port,” a local news report said.
Earlier, a video viral on social media showed a VIP convoy reaching Colombo International Airport where a Sri Lanka Airlines plane was parked.
At least 30 people, including two policemen, were injured in clashes between security personnel and protesters, some of whom were holding Sri Lankan flags and helmets, who had gathered there in large numbers. Castle Region, demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa.
Footage circulating on social media claims the President’s belongings were hastily packed in a Navy S… https://t.co/ao9SOtAi72
— Dailymirror (@Dailymirror_SL) 1657356826000
Protesters who climbed the walls of Rashtrapati Bhavan are now occupying it.
Video footage from inside the building showed hundreds of protesters packing into rooms and corridors, while hundreds were also seen outside the grounds.
Some video clips show a large number of people taking a dip in the pool of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A group of his own lawmakers have addressed a letter to President Rajapaksa, urging him to step down and appoint a new prime minister and an all-party government.
(with inputs from agencies)