Protesters storm Sri Lanka’s presidential palace, set prime minister’s home ablaze

Protesters storm Sri Lanka’s presidential palace, set prime minister’s home ablaze

Protesters gather inside the premises of Sri Lanka Presidential Palace to demand the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on July 09, 2022, in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Protesters broke into the Sri Lankan prime minister’s private residence and set it on fire

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe earlier in the day agreed to resign from his post once all parties agree on forming a new government.

“To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government,” Wickremesinghe wrote on Twitter.

“To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister.”

At least 55 people have been injured in the protests, according to Dr. Pushpa Zoysa with the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, who said the figure included three people with gunshot wounds. Among those injured is a lawmaker from eastern Sri Lanka, she added.