Protesters in Sri Lanka have broken into the prime minister’s private residence and set it on fire, hours after he said he would resign over the country’s deepening economic crisis.
Ranil Wickremesinghe announced he would quit on Saturday afternoon after thousands stormed the president’s official residence in the capital Colombo in one of the biggest anti-government protests to hit the country this year.
The president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, faces intense pressure to follow suit.
Mr Wickremesinghe tweeted: “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.”
He stepped down after thousands descended on the government district in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, shouting slogans against the president and dismantling several police barricades to reach his house.
Police fired shots in the air but were unable to stop the angry crowd from surrounding the residence.
At least 39 people, including two police officers, have been hurt in the unrest, hospital sources said.
Protesters also assembled outside the Presidential Secretariat, the office of the president, and the home of prime minister.
Both Mr Rajapaksa and Mr Wickremesinghe have both been moved to a secure location, defence ministry sources said.
Hundreds of flag-bearing protesters packed inside the president’s sea-front property and used the swimming pool on a Facebook livestream.
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Sri Lanka protesters break into president’s home and go swimming
Protesters inside the president’s home in Colombo. Pic: AP
Mr Wickremesinghe, who was appointed in May, resigned after summoning political party leaders for an emergency meeting.
He also requested parliament to be recalled by the speaker, his office said.
US ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung called on people to protest peacefully and for police to give demonstrators space – as she warned “chaos and force will not fix the economy”.
Sri Lanka, home to 22 million people, is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades since it achieved independence in 1948.
Inflation hit a record 54.6% in June and is expected to soar to 70%, piling pressure on the cash-strapped population.
Protesters at the presidential palace. Pic: News Cutter
The garden at the president’s residence was overrun. Pic: Reuters
The president’s living quarters. Pic: Reuters
The country has been struggling under a severe foreign exchange shortage that has limited essential imports of fuel, food and medicine.
Many blame the decline on Mr Rajapaksa, who has faced ongoing calls to resign.
Protester Sampath Perera, 37, criticised the president for “clinging on to power” and warned: “We will not stop until he listens to us.”
Crowds assembled outside the president’s office in Colombo. Pic: AP
A tear gas shell fired by police lands in the crowd. Pic: AP
The authorities attempt to disperse protesters in Colombo. Pic: AP
Anger intensified in recent weeks as fuel shipments dwindled, leading to petrol and diesel being rationed for essential services.
The British Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to the country, which has been left in financial turmoil due to economic mismanagement and the impact of the pandemic.
In April this year, Sri Lanka announced it was suspending repayment of foreign loans, blaming a foreign currency shortage.
A man covers his face after tear gas is fired in Colombo. Pic: AP
Protesters came prepared with gas masks. Pic: AP
It has accumulated debts of more than £42bn, of which around half, £23.3bn, must be repaid by the end of 2027.
The crisis has severely dented the reputation of the Rajapaksa political dynasty, which has led the country for most of the past two decades.
Mr Rajapaksa has so far held on to power after his brother resigned as prime minister in May and two other brothers and a nephew quit their cabinet posts this year.
