Video of suitcases loaded on Sri Lanka navy ship as president flees surface

COLOMBO: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had fled his official residence in Sri Lanka which is under the grip of an unprecedented economic turmoil. However, information that came in said Rajapakse left the country in a naval ship. He had already left his official residence when he got the hint that there would be a weekend protest.

Meanwhile, videos of his luggage being loaded on a Sri Lankan Navy ship are being widely circulated on social media. Local media claimed that these suitcases belonged to President Rajapakse. The video shows three men loading heavy luggage onto a ship anchored at Colombo port. News 1 Channel reported that Rajapakse and his family members left the country in SLNS Sindurala and SLNS Gajabahu.

Initial reports indicated that President Gotabaya escaped in an ambulance from his official residence in Sri Lanka. Tens of thousands of protesters barged the President's residence yesterday morning. Around 100,000 people from different parts of the country marched towards the President's residence. The protesters have occupied the President's residence till late at night. Gotabaya's office in Colombo was also occupied by protesters.

The police imposed a curfew to stop the rally, but after the court cancelled it, the people moved towards the President's residence. At least 55 people were injured in hiring and in the tear gas used by the security forces to control the mob. With the capture of the President's residence, the mob also took control of the country. Train services and bus services were diverted to Colombo to accommodate the protesters. Buddhist monks, priests of other religions, students, lawyers, fishermen and other professions all took to the streets together.

Prime Minister Renil Wickremesinghe announced his resignation in the evening as per the decision of the all-party meeting called by the Speaker of the Parliament urgently yesterday. The resignation is based on the decision to form an all-party government. Meanwhile, the mob set fire to the Prime Minister's private residence.