Sri Lanka Crisis: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees, angry protestors take over his official residence

Thousands of irate anti-government protesters in Sri Lanka on Saturday stormed into embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence in central Colombo's high-security Fort area after breaking the barricades, as they demanded his resignation over the island nation's worst economic crisis in recent memory.

Thousands of irate anti-government protesters in Sri Lanka stormed into embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence in central Colombo's high-security Fort area after breaking the barricades. Credit: Reuters Photo

Demonstrators protest inside the President's House, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo. Credit: Reuters Photo

The angry protestors demanded his resignation over the nation's worst economic crisis in recent memory. Credit: Reuters Photo

At least 30 people, including two policemen, were injured in clashes between security personnel and protesters. Credit: Reuters Photo

The anti-government protests in April forced the resignation of prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the elder brother of President Rajapaksa, in May. Credit: Reuters Photo

Protesters who climbed the walls of the President’s House are now occupying it without damaging any property or indulging in acts of violence. Credit: AFP Photo

Demonstrators celebrate after entering the President's House during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Credit: Reuters Photo

Earlier, the police fired tear gas at two access roads to the President’s House -- Chatham Street and Lotus Road, but the defiant protesters continued unabated. Credit: AFP Photo

The organisers of the movement ‘Whole country to Colombo’ said people were walking from the suburbs to join the protesters at Colombo Fort. Credit: Reuters Photo