Satellite Captures Crowds Awaiting Presidential Resignation in Sri Lankan Capital
Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies on Tuesday, July 12, shows crowds of people waiting near the presidential office in Colombo, Sri Lanka; President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he would step down on July 13 after weeks of protests.
Last weekend, demonstrations against the Sri Lankan government, sparked by economic turmoil, led to protesters storming the homes of officials, setting fire to buildings, and armed police officers using tear gas to disperse protesters.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his resignation, saying he would leave office once a new government was in place, while speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said Rajapaksa had agreed to step down on July 13, according to reports.
Images 1-3 from Maxar Technologies show scenes outside the president’s office and other parliamentary offices. Image 4 depicts a long lines of cars near a gas station in downtown Colombo. Credit: Maxar Technologies via Storyful
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