Flower Road turns into a battle ground as protesters storm PM’s office

Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Following the July 9 mass uprising, the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced that he would tender his resignation on July 13. Having been turned down by several destinations including India, on the evening of July 12, word went round that the former President has fled to Maldives. 

The Rajapaksa family was initially denied entry to Maldives but following former President and Speaker Mohamed Nasheed’s intervention, President Ibrahim Solih has granted clearance to land in Maldives. He is reportedly provided accommodation at a resort in Maldives. 

However the situation at Flower Road became tense as protesters flocked in front of the Prime Minister’s office during the morning hours of July 13 demanding that PM Wickremesinghe also steps down from his seat. The protesters continued pouring into Flower Road despite the imposition of curfew in Western Province and an island wide emergency law. 

After a barrage of tear gas attacks, the protesters occupied the Prime Minister’s office 

As the Police continued firing tear gas at protesters the protesters were seen sending tear gas canisters back at the Police. STF personnel continued to fire shots in the air as security was tightened near the PM’s office. 

Eventually the STF obstructed Flower Road from the Ladies College end and protesters were blocked in front of PM’s office as all entrances to Flower Road were obstructed. As unarmed protesters continued to fight with all their might despite nasty tear gas and high pressure water attacks the armed forces too attacked with much force. However after repeated tear gas attacks the armed forces retreated and protesters finally removed the gates surrounding the PM office and occupied the building. 

At least 30 protesters were injured following the attacks at Flower Road. despite public outcry, the Speaker announced that Ranil Wickremesinghe will now work as the Acting President as ‘the President is out of the country’ and that he is yet to receive the resignation letter signed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. As per article 37 (1) of the Constitution the Prime Minister can take over as Acting President while the ‘President is out of the country’. 

Few minutes after the protesters occupied the Prime Minister’s office, Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the public to assist the armed forces and the armed forces have been instructed to bring the situation under control. In the meantime religious leaders too have called upon protesters to avoid violence and act with restraint.