Sri Lanka’s leaders have finally agreed to quit after their official residences were stormed during dramatic demonstrations.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said he will depart after huge crowds swooped on his palace and also set the PM’s house on fire.
Mr Rajapaksa will step down on Wednesday and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also agreed to resign.
Thousands descended on Colombo on Saturday demanding the president’s departure after months of protests.
He has been blamed for the country’s economic mismanagement, leading to shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
Protesters invaded the president’s bedroom, jumped into his pool and even queued up for breakfast, while others played cards in the PM’s residence.
The speaker of parliament said Mr Rajapaksa decided to step down “to ensure a peaceful handover of power” and urged people to respect the law.
The contrast between the luxury of the palace and months of hardship endured by the country’s 22 million people was not lost on demonstrators.
Protester Fiona Sirmana said it was time “to get rid of the president and PM, and to have a new era for Sri Lanka”.
Dozens were injured in the protests and three were treated for gunshot wounds.
Political leaders are due to hold talks to discuss a smooth transition of power.
The army urged people to co-operate with security forces to maintain calm and the US had appealed to Sri Lanka’s leaders to resolve the economic crisis.
Protesters will occupy state buildings until the two premiers are out of office.
Pope Francis renewed his calls for peace, adding: “I implore those in authority not to ignore the cry of the poor and the needs of the people."
