Sri Lanka Protesters Explore Prime Minister's Residence

Members of the Sri Lankan public explored Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s residence in Colombo, on Wednesday, July 13.

According to News First, the latest protest came after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country to the Maldives on a military jet with his wife and two security officials. The Daily Mirror reported Rajapaksa appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as Sri Lanka’s acting president “as he was away from the country.”

Rajapaksa said he would step down on July 13 but has yet to announce his official resignation. Wickremesinghe also announced his resignation on July 9, saying he would leave office once a new government was in place.

This footage posted to Instagram shows the public lounging on couches inside the residence, playing the piano while singing tunes, celebrating a protester’s birthday, and exploring the outdoor pool.

On July 13, Wickremesinghe imposed an emergency curfew island-wide and ordered security forces to arrest those acting in a “riotous manner,” according to the Daily Mirror. Credit: Rikas Ahamed via Storyful