JUST IN: Sri Lanka’s prime minister has agreed to resign after party leaders in Parliament demanded both he and the embattled president step down on the day protesters stormed the president's residence and office.
leaders in Parliament demanded both he and the embattled president step down on the day protesters stormed the president's residence and office.
A government spokesman, Mohan Samaranayake, said he had no information about Rajapaksa's whereabouts. The turmoil has led to months of protests, which have nearly dismantled the Rajapaksa political dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for most of the past two decades. Videos posted on social media showed protesters storming the residence, chanting “Gota go home,” calling the president by his nickname. Dozens were seen jumping into the pool, milling about the house and and watching television. Outside the building, barricades were overturned and a black flag was hoisted on a pole.
Protest and religious leaders called on Rajapaksa to step down, saying he has lost the people’s mandate.
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