It has been reported, amid mounting protests Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left his official residence in Colombo and is staying onboard a naval ship, SLNS Gajabahu. As per details revealed by the Sri Lankan Navy, the President will return to the mainland only when it is safe, until then he will stay out in the sea. Reports have surfaced that the president’s luggage was rushed onto the ship anchored at the Colombo Port.
Sources said this was the contingency plan that had to be activated earlier than anticipated. Rajapaksa was using the President’s House as his residence and office since protesters came to occupy the entrance to his office in early April.
In the past few days, thousands of people stormed the President’s official residence in protest – the latest in a series of demonstrations against the economic crisis – and demanded Rajapaksa’s resignation.
The protesters stormed inside the presidential residence and entered the rooms, which otherwise used to be heavily guarded. At least 30 people, including two policemen, were injured in clashes between security personnel and protesters some of them holding Sri Lankan flags and helmets – who had gathered in large numbers in the Fort area where the presidential palace is located.
