Thousands of protesters stormed Rajapaksa’s residence in Colombo on Saturday amid anger over the country’s worst economic crisis in 7 decades.
After storming the gates from the presidential palace, countless people could be seen in live broadcasts on social media walking through its rooms, which includes among the boisterous group jumping into the compound’s pool.
The president had fled just moments earlier, assisted by soldiers who fired to the air to clear his escape.
Protesters also broke directly into Wickremesinghe’s private home and set it burning down, the prime minister’s office said. He had also been moved to a protected location, an authorities source told Reuters.
Wickremesinghe earlier held talks with several political party leaders to choose what steps to consider following the unrest.
“Wickremesinghe has told the party market leaders that he is ready to resign as excellent minister and create way for an all-party government to take over, ” his workplace said in a declaration.
Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a letter to Rajapaksa that several decisions have been made at the conference of leaders through parties – such as the president and the best minister resigning as quickly as possible and parliament getting called within 7 days to select an performing president.
“Under the acting president the present parliament can appoint a new primary minister and an interim government, inch said the letter released by the Speaker’s office.
“Afterwards under a set period an election can be held for the individuals to elect a new parliament, ” it additional.