Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has summoned an emergency Party Leaders meeting to discuss the situation and come to a swift resolution. He is also requesting the Speaker to summon Parliament.
33 injured during the protests hospitalized
33 people have been injured during the protest that started today near the President’s Residence. It is reported that these people have been admitted to Colombo National Hospital.
It is reported that the condition of two of the injured is serious.
Security tightened around PM’s residence in Colombo 03
Currently, it is reported that heavy security has been placed around the residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Kollupitiya. That is because the protestors are likely to come to that house as well.
This step has been taken due to the fact that the activists gathered in Colombo broke the security checkpoints established around the Presidential Residence and entered the Presidential Palace.
By now, a large number of protestors have entered the Presidential Residence and a large number of others are staying in the premises of the house.
Meanwhile, thousands of people are coming to the Presidential Residence by train and on foot.
Protestors enter President’s Residence amidst tear gas and water attacks
The people who were in the Protest on Chatham Street have now been pushed into the Fort President’s House, facing continuous tear gas and water attacks.
None of the security forces could stop these people and they have been able to enter the building by breaking all the road barriers.
Massive crowds surrounded the President’s house
Massive number of protest demonstrators have invaded the Presidents house breaching almost all barricades of police and army demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down from the high post.
They chanted slogans against his oppressive action including the ordering of the army troupes to use tear gas several times to prevent the masses from entering the President’s house although he has already fled the house leaving it with no occupants.
Hundreds of demonstrators are staging protests opposite the front of the gate of the President’s house and some of them were seen jumping over the gate to enter the house, eyewitnesses said.
Five civilians and two police officers, who were injured during the ongoing mass protests, have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, sources said. .
Meanwhile, it is reported that the police fired tear gas at the protesters at the “GotaGoGama” protest site in Galle Face Green.
The police also fired two rounds of tear gas to disperse the anti-government protesters at Chatham Street in Colombo who attempted to advance through a barricade and later it was breached by the demonstrators and invaded the President’s house.
Coinciding with the demonstrations in Colombo, island-wide protest marches are organized today (July 09), urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the incumbent government to step down.
Massive crowds thronged the Galle Face Green’s “GotaGoGama” protest site from many parts of the country in support of the mass public protest.
Schools closed for another week
Due to the crisis situation in the country, government and government-approved private schools were closed till Friday and schools were scheduled to reopen next Monday.
However, the Ministry of Education has decided to extend the school holidays by another week.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Education states that schools will reopen on July 18.
Protestors reach President’s Residence amidst all obstacles
Roadblocks were placed at several places on Chatham Street to control the protesters who came to the President’s Residence along Chatham Street, Colombo. In addition, the police were seen firing tear gas on several occasions to control the protesters.
However, tens of thousands of protesters continued despite the roadblocks and tear gas attacks and all the measures taken by the police failed.
It is reported that security and military personnel have been called to control the protesters.
The protestors, breaking through all the obstacles, have now reached the main gate of the President’s Residence. They are trying to enter the President’s Residence
.
Will the police join the protestors? (VIDEO)
Thousands of people are currently gathering in Colombo demanding the resignation of the President and the government. In addition, it is reported that protests will be held in many major cities across the island.
A march that started from Kottawa area passed Maharagama and has now reached Nugegoda town.
A special incident happened while the march was passing through Maharagama town and a police officer who came on a traffic bike was seen throwing away the helmet he was wearing and joining the protestors.
By now, thousands of police officers have been called to Colombo, but they are unable to control the thousands of protesters who gather in Colombo. The activists are asking the security forces including the police to leave aside the protection of the anti-people rulers and join them.
Phone and internet signals disrupted at GGG
Since yesterday afternoon, the internet signal was severely disrupted all over the island and it has now been restored.
However, mobile phone signals and internet signals are at a very weak level at Gota Go Gama protest site.
Because of this, the journalists covering the place are in serious trouble. Media agencies have the ability to report the events around Chatham Street in Colombo live, but they have not been able to report the events related to the Gota Go Gama live because mobile phone signals and internet signals are very weak.
It is reported that the Gota Go Gama protest site was fired with tear gas a little while ago and now the firing has stopped.
People’s Protest: Police fire tear gas at Chatham Street to disperse the protestors
The situation at Colombo Fort Chatham Street has become heated up. This happened after the police fired tear gas to disperse the people involved in the protest.
People are coming from different parts of the island to support the struggle and a large number of people have gathered around that area.
However, the police and the army have also deployed a large number of officers, but it is reported that the people are gathering ahead of the security forces.
Meanwhile, it is said that the Galle Face protest site ground is also full of people.
Lawyers are marching from the Aluthkade court complex to the protest march and artists are also preparing to march to the protest ground from near the Elphinstone Theatre.