Protesters have breached the gates to the Sri Lankan prime minister's office and have flooded into the grounds.
Demonstrators take part in an anti-government protest outside the office of Sri Lanka's prime minister in Colombo on July 13, 2022. Photo: AFP
On the second floor balcony, just above a sign saying "Prime Minister's Office", a crowd of protesters held the Sri Lankan flag aloft.
Delirious with glee, they managed to rip the gates open and push through a wall of soldiers - all while enduring hours of teargas.
Someone lit a flare above the balcony and the crowd erupted in cheers.
BBC confirmed that Ranil Wickremesinghe was not at the office and had been in hiding the last few days, since protesters burnt down his residential home.
Despite his location being unknown, he had still been issuing several orders through his office - including declaring a state of emergency and curfew orders.
Sri Lanka president tells parliament speaker he will resign on Wednesday
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to the Maldives on Wednesday, telephoned the speaker of parliament saying that his resignation letter would be sent later in the day.
"The president got in touch with me over the phone and said that he will ensure that his resignation letter will be received by me today," speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a video statement.
"I appeal to the public to have confidence in the parliamentary process we have outlined to appoint a new president on the 20th and be peaceful."
- BBC / Reuters
