Crenellated President Gotabaya Rajapaksha flees to the unknown whereabouts. Thousands of angry protesters against the government chanting slogans – Gota, Go home breached his official residence in Colombo on Saturday. A few hours later emerging video show suitcases being shifted to the naval ship SLNS Gajabahu on Colombo port. As per the reports, the suitcases were shifted from the vehicle being claimed to be of the president. News 1st channel said, “The Harbour Master at the Colombo Port said a group boarded the SLNS Sindurala and SLNS Gajabahu and left the port”. When enquired to the port officials they denied giving any details. While a Sri Lankan naval officer said the president would stay out in the ocean until it’s quiet and safe for him to return to the mainland.
Previously, photos and videos from Colombo airport showed a VIP motorcade reaching there where a SriLanka Airlines aircraft was parked which was expected to be taken by the president.
Few sources say that this was already planned by Rajapaksha as he knew about this situation to arise in future since the protesters came to occupy his office in April.
After the protesters breached the heavily guarded presidential residence and entered its rooms. Videos on social media showed demonstrators enjoying the swimming pool and eating the food kept for the president and his staff. And several videos have been coming out showing the protest have also found millions of rupees from the house in between the economic turmoil which is being handed to the security units. Authorities say that they would take steps after knowing the ground reports.
Around 30 people, including two policemen, were injured in clashes between security personnel and protesters trying to enter the residence. Some of these also included the journalists who were injured by the security officers while they were trying to cover the event. Some of them were carrying Sri Lankan flags and helmets and they gathered in large numbers in the Fort area where the presidential palace is located.
Earlier in May, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s elder brother and the prime minister Mahindar Rajapaksa had to quit their role due to these massive antigovernment protests after which Gotabaya Rajapaksa thought it would cram the situation and the protest would get over but it led to the fall of the government.
Opposition Parties Scheduled to Meet
Now PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said to quit his duty once a new government comes into place. At night a statement was also made public by the speaker of parliament that the president would resign from his post on July 13. Next to which the opposition parties plan to meet today to discuss the making of the new government and to help the country in its most disorderly state. In which the protesters are storming the houses and burning the buildings in a rage over the nation’s economic crisis. The speaker will serve as the Acting President in the absence of both the President and Prime Minister. After which an election between the MPs will be held to elect the new president.
The Chief Minister of defence staff General Shavendra Silva requested all the citizens to give their support in maintaining the peace of the country. And help them to tackle this ongoing unpredicted economic crisis.
With this Sri Lankan minister of tourism and Lands Harin Fernando and Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara Said “, they have decided to step down from their ministerial portfolios with immediate effect”
