Violence in Sri Lanka: People's capture of President's House, President Gotabaya flees; speculation of leaving the country

Agitators occupied the official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid ongoing protests over the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. There is speculation in media reports that Rajapaksa will leave the country. The 'Gota Go Gama' and 'Gota Go Home' agitations are going on in Sri Lanka against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a long time.

Gama means village in the Sinhalese language. Protesters gather at one place to set up tents and raise slogans of 'Gota-Go-Gama' against the President and the government while honking vehicles. Their aim was to force President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down from power.

16 MPs from the Sri Lanka People's Front have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign immediately. According to media reports, the police fired in the air to control the protesters. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also requested the Speaker to convene Parliament.

A group of demonstrators has reached outside the stadium of the ongoing Australia-Sri Lanka match in Galle. Former Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya also joined the protesters. At the same time, the movement has become fierce in the capital Colombo. More than 100 people were injured in the clash with the police. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has called an emergency meeting regarding the deteriorating situation.