Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s mansion has become a new tourist attraction in Colombo after irate demonstrators took over the property totally and are unwinding — wandering across the balconies, lounging in bedrooms, dining in the kitchen, and swimming in the pool.
Inside the President’s House, people can be seen snapping pictures with fancy automobiles as the backdrop.
A swarm of individuals can also be seen working out at the Presidential House gym.
Few people were snapping selfies at the pool.
Speaking to ANI, one of the protestors said, “We have been showing our displeasure by holding the flag saying that the system that they are continuing for 74 years is repressive of our people, our rights. They were oppressive towards people. They were just clinging on to power by using military forces that’s why our sign was the black flag showing the descent to the government. The youth are against this system.”
On Saturday, dramatic images from outside Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakse’s villa showed a wave of protestors surging into the complex, knocking down police security cordons, swimming in the pool, and romping around his kitchen and home.
Meanwhile, numerous dramatic videos have been circulating on social media following Saturday’s uprising in which hundreds of protestors attacked his official mansion in Colombo, forcing him to flee to an unknown destination.
They broke into the President’s house, tearing down police security cordons, swimming in the pool, and romping around his kitchen and residence, demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation.
According to the media source, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva asked all residents to assist the armed forces and police in order to keep the nation peaceful. He delivered these statements in a special statement with Tri Force Commanders present.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Ministers of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando and Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara have announced their intention to resign from their respective positions with immediate effect.
Protesters in Sri Lanka also stormed into and set fire to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private mansion, enraged by the extraordinary economic situation.
Several journalists were also attacked by security personnel, prompting additional demonstrators to congregate in the vicinity, according to the Daily Mirror.
To disperse the agitated demonstrators, police used water cannons. The police also used tear gas on the demonstrators, but they nevertheless broke into the PM’s residence and set it on fire.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) fire department was notified that the Prime Minister’s private mansion in Colombo had been set on fire and that its crews were unable to access the spot owing to the turmoil.
Wickremesinghe, who was named Prime Minister in May, has indicated that he will retire in order to secure the government’s continuity and the safety of all residents.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also agreed to step down from his post on Wednesday.
