Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as protesters surround his residence, says report

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled his home as protesters surrounded and stormed his residence today, AFP reports citing a defence source and local media.

The Defence Ministry sources told news agency that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was removed from the official premises yesterday for his safety ahead of the planned rally over the weekend.

Thousands of protesters clashed with the police and breached barricades to storm the President’s official residence in the capital city of Colombo. At least 21 people, including two policemen were injured and hospitalised in the ongoing protests, hospital sources said.