Sri Lanka Prime Minister summons emergency party leaders meeting after protesters stormed the President’s House

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at anti-government protesters

Demonstrators run from tear gas used by police during a protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amid the country’s economic crisis, near the president’s residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 9, 2022. (REUTERS / Dinuka Liyanawatte)

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today (July 09) summoned an emergency meeting of political party leaders after protesters stormed the President’s House in Colombo amid growing anger over the government’s handling of an economic crisis.

Ranil Wickremesinghe also requested the speaker to summon parliament, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said.

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at anti-government protesters

A demonstrator throws back a tear gas grenade towards police members as police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amid the country’s economic crisis, near the president’s residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 9, 2022. (REUTERS / Dinuka Liyanawatte)

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at anti-government protesters

Demonstrators react to tear gas used by police during a protest demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amid the country’s economic crisis, near the president’s residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 9, 2022. (REUTERS / Dinuka Liyanawatte)