Thousands of opposition protesters broke out in Colombo, with demonstrators attempting to storm the President’s Secretariat office, as the country’s economy continues to plummet.
The demonstrations were led by leader Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, Sajith Premadasa. The protests began at Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo this afternoon.
Sri Lanka is currently facing one of its worst economic crises. Due to the foreign exchange shortage, Sri Lanka has been unable to afford imports of fuel, medicine, and food, causing prices to skyrocket. The country has been rationing its supply of fuel, which has led to long queues at petrol stations and daily power cuts across the island. The SJB has decried the living conditions in Sri Lanka as unbearable.
Sri Lankan police officers reportedly clashed with demonstrators who were attempting to storm the President’s Secretariat office. Protesters also set alight a coffin on the road in front of the office. Demonstrators claimed that they were attempting to raise public concerns and were preventing by the Sri Lankan police, including Sri Lanka’s notorious Special Task Force (STF).
Demonstrators wore black bands reading “Go back Gota!” and burned effigies of the President.
During the rally, Premadasa called for a snap presidential election.
He was accompanied by the party chairman and accused war criminal, Sarath Fonseka, General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and other parliamentarians.
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