Police fire tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of protesters trying to storm home of Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa, demanding his resignation as the South Asian nation's economic crisis worsens
The South Asian nation of 22 million people is in the grips of its worst downturn since independence, sparked by an acute lack of foreign currency to pay for even the most essential imports.
Protesters set fire to an army bus parked across the lane leading to Rajapaksa's home in Colombo's Mirihana residential quarter, as well as a police vehicle.Official sources told the AFP news agency that Rajapaksa was not at home during the melee, but top military officials went into a huddle to discuss the crisis.Four hours into the protest, the area remained blocked for vehicles.
The rally had been called by social media activists who were not immediately identified, but their ire was directed at Rajapaksa and his family. The president's elder brother Mahinda serves as prime minister while the youngest –– Basil –– holds the finance portfolio. The eldest brother Chamal is the agriculture minister while nephew Namal holds the cabinet post for sports.Diesel shortages had sparked outrage across Sri Lanka in recent days, but the protests had so far been in towns and not aimed at any top leader, before Thursday's events.
The state electricity monopoly said it had enforced a 13-hour power cut from Thursday – the longest ever –– because they did not have diesel for generators.
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