Sri Lanka: Protesters Takeover Presidential Residence, Swim in Pool

Protesters takeover the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a day after they stormed his home, forcing him to flee, July 10, 2022.

The dramatic events are a result of the culmination of months of protests due to the nation's unprecedented economic crisis.

Sri Lankan protesters Sunday said they would continue to occupy of the official residences of the president and prime minister in Colombo until they officially leave office.

Thousands of protesters stormed both residences Saturday. They ransacked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s home and set fire to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's residence amid mounting public outrage over a monthslong economic crisis.

Rajapaksa and the prime minister have since agreed to resign with the president telling the parliament speaker he would step down July 13 to ensure a smooth transition of power.

However, the protesters demand that the resignations take effect immediately.

President Rajapaksa was taken by troops to a safe, undisclosed location ahead of the massive protest. Widely blamed for the devastating economic downturn, he has been under public pressure to quit for months.

Frustration has been building in Sri Lanka over the worsening fuel shortages and runaway inflation that has led to a massive hike in food prices. Much of the public ire is directed against President Rajapaksa and other members of his family who had held powerful posts in the government. While others had resigned, the president had so far defied calls to quit.

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[michaelpaparelli]

This will start happening more often. WATCH! WHEN THE PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE, AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN!

[AzadFardeen]

Who is here after Bangladesh hasina✈️✈️✈️😂😂😂!!

[maryhalverson]

This is what an insurrection is supposed to look like.

[cyberen]

If only citizens of other countries had the balls to reclaim their power like the Sri Lankans.

[yve_roblox]

Good job Sri Lanka❤❤
Please pray for Bangladesh also😢🇧🇩

[xavierjones]

Lmfao he did a back flip in a pool 😭😭😭

[rezaulbari]

This will happen in Bangladesh too
#stepdownhasena

[pretentiousprogressive]

This needs to happen all across the world.

[rasmbret]

We better form a committee to review this activity

[booyomane]

Imagine the president gets swimming pool while everyone else suffers

[oasispeace]

That pool wasn't that dirty 24 hours ago

[TanzirRahman]

What a Moment...!!!
Enjoy your time like a President

[AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

They go through all of that and STILL won't use the shower!!!?? 🤔 That damn pool is 🤢🤮😩

[stephenbrand]

That water looks filthy as all hell!! 😖

[suzanneharris]

I for one, am very happy to aee these protesters achieving what they wanted, sacrificing alot. They deserve that R&R.

[lisalee]

Stay as long as you like...be nice to each other

[claybowlproductions]

I’m starting to believe this whole large hadron collider theory

[silverbulletfury]

in our country they call it an insurrection

[LolLol-zpjy]

And people in the us are freaking out about january 6 when the same situation is happening to us with a corrupt system and terrible leaders destroying our economy

[adel]

Shameful!
What are they gaining by breaking & destroying.