Former Sri Lankan President and war criminal, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, has issued a statement condemning the burning of the Prime Minister’s house amidst widespread protests across Colombo.

Responding to the storming of Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house, by anti-government demonstrators, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has stressed the need for all parties to work with the international community to form a new government that meets the “democratic and economic aspirations and upholds human rights”.

The Speaker of the Parliament convened an emergency meeting between the leaders of the parties, which called for the joint resignation of the President and Prime minister. 

During the meeting, the party leaders agreed on four actions 

1. President and Prime Minister to resign immediately 

2. Speaker to act for President for a maximum of 30 days

3. Parliament will elect an MP  as President for remained term

4. Appointment of an interim all-party government and elections to be held soon. 

As protests continue to rage in Colombo the exact location of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains unclear.

Since fleeing his residence his property has been taken over by protesters demanding his resignation. Speaking to AFP news agency, a defence source stated that the President was escorted to safety ahead of the protests. But questions remain as to whether the besieged president has left the capital or even the island, by plane or sea.

Activity at Colombo Port

Following a wave of protests in Sri Lanka's capital earlier today, the recently appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to resign.

There is relative calm in Jaffna compared to the capital city of Colombo where mass demonstrations have led to protesters storming the President’s house.

In Jaffna, a bicycle parade calling for the resignation of the Prime Minister, President and cabinet is taking place. Cyclists will travel from the University of Jaffna to the central bus stand in the town centre.

As demonstrators stormed the residence of Sri Lanka’s President, reports emerge that two people have been shot close to the President’s house.

They have since been admitted to Colombo National Hospital.

The leader of Sri Lanka’s largest opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, has demanded that the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka resign.

The statement comes as anti-government demonstrators have stormed the President’s residence and the Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has called for an urgent all-party meeting to discuss the unfolding crisis.

Reports have emerged that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is attempting to flee the country.

Sri Lanka's embattled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the capital, Colombo, as tens of thousands of protesters stormed his official residence this morning, as anti-government demonstrations amidst a crushing economic crisis coming to a head.

At the time of writing, protestors are currently still outside the private residence of Ranil Wickremesinghe, who just hours ago agreed to step down as the country’s prime minister. Demonstrators have set the residence alight.

On this day 27 years ago, the Sri Lankan air force dropped 13 bombs on St Peter’s Church in Navaly. More than 140 sheltering Tamils, who were encouraged by the military to seek refuge at the church, were killed on the spot. 

At least 13 children were amongst the dead, with many more succumbing to injuries later as the local hospital was swamped with the wounded.