President's residence occupied - 13th July 2022

The president of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has been forced to flee the country after demonstrators seized his residence. Rajapaksa has said he will resign, but demonstrators are refusing to budge until he does.

The dramatic events are the culmination of months of protests by enraged citizens against the island nation's economic crisis. Until May, the president's brother Mahinda Rajapaksa had been prime minister, and demonstrators lay the blame for the current incompetence and corruption firmly at both their feet.

Demonstrator Saku Richardson speaks about its impact.

Saku Richardson: "That should be the happiest day of our life, because he has robbed us. I mean he has robbed this country. Can't you see how many people are walking? We haven't yet won because we can't get his money back, but we are the happiest people. I think if I, I speak for everybody in this country."

After storming the gates of the presidential residence, protestors lounged in its opulent rooms, somersaulted in the swimming pool and rummaged through the president's clothing. They have no intention of leaving until their demands are met. Dela Pieris is clear as to what they are.

Dela Pieris: "And the president and prime minister have agreed to step down, but they are mention certain dates but so far nothing is concluded. So the demand is very clear. The people are still asking the resignation, and full resignation in a written confirmation. So hopefully we will have this res, resignation - and from the government - including prime minister and president in the coming days."

This previously affluent South Asian country has defaulted on an external debt of $51 billion and is seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Sri Lanka has now been short of medicine, food and fuel for many months, a situation further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Rajapaksa's desire to turn the country's agricultural production fully organic has witnessed a rapid decline in productivity and foreign exports. Therefore, foreign currency coming into the country has dried up.

The protestors now have hope for the future.

Vishaka Jayaweera: "We have won this battle. And we are very happy that he has to step down! He will and he must step down and we will be very happy."