• Angry crowds demand the resignation of the President and Prime Minister.
Crowds protesting against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration have stormed and surrounded the houses of many politicians demanding the government quit forthwith.
That Includes the Carlton residence of the Prime Minister in Tangalle and the official residence at Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo, houses of ministers Ramesh Pathirana, Rohitha Abeygoonesekara, Keheliya Rambukwella, Gamini Lokuge and Parliamentarians Roshan Ranasinghe and several others.
Meanwhile, many state ministers have given up their portfolios, citing hardships people are going through due to the rising cost of living and shortage of essentials. There is speculation that many government Parliamentarians would crossover to the opposition benches and remain as an independent group.
Last night many protestors in hundreds gathered near the Presidential Secretariat and the Temple Trees, demanding the resignation of both the President and Prime Minister.
There were demonstrations in Malabe, on the high-level road and elsewhere, calling for the government to resign.
Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi, described as a close ally of the government, reportedly left the country to Male fearing reprisals by the people.
Angry crowds point out that the purported resignation of the Cabine of Ministers was a sham to hoodwink the masses. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, in the meantime, has requested the government to appoint a Cabinet minister to handle Power and Energy since the Petroleum Corporation and Ceylon Electricity Board are in the throes of a severe crisis.
Last evening mobs attacked the Polonnaruwahouse of former State minister Roshan Ranasinghe, and Police investigations are underway to arrest those responsible.
Roshan Ranasinghe resigned his portfolio, citing hardships faced by the farmers and warning the government to take appropriate action to cushion the growing unrest among the people.
The President, who addressed the government group last evening, had pledged to restore the fertilizer subsidy lending an ear to the Parliamentarians patiently.
At least a hundred members of Parliament had reportedly participated in the group meeting held at the President’s House.
