As thousands of protesters stormed Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence in Colombo on Saturday demanding his government’s resignation amid the ongoing economic crisis.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremmesinghe has summoned an emergency meeting with political party leaders to discuss the situation.
Angry protesters attacked the Prime Minister’s house and set it on fire. The Prime Minister’s Office said a mob broke into the Wickremesinghe’s private residence and set it on fire and damaged vehicles belonging to him.
The Prime Minister earlier said he is willing to resign to make way for an all-party government.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed grave regret over the assault on journalists who were covering the protests in the crisis-hit nation.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Freedom of media is paramount to Democracy in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister requests both the security forces and the protesters to act with restraint to prevent any violence and ensure the safety of the public.”
According to reports, four journalists with Sri Lanka’s NewsFirst news channel were beaten by the police.