Aftermath: unrest infront of Presidential residence in Mirihana

The nation witnessed thousands of persons gathered infront of Presidential residence in Mirihana last night to protest about government’s failure to resolve economic crisis which turned out to be violent with police using tear gas to disperse the crowd. 

Several persons have been admitted to hospital following injuries sustained during last night's protest near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in Mirihana. 

The injured include protesters, police personnel and several members of the media. 

Both Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Namal Rajapaksa visited the protest site earlier today. A group of buddhist monks also visisted the scene as well. 

What started off as a peaceful protest near the President's residence last evening calling on him to resign later turned violent following confrontations with Police as some protesters tried to break down barricades to enter the lane where the President's house is situated. 

Police, Special Task Force (STF) and military personnel were deployed to the area and tear gas and water cannon were fired several times to disperse protesters. The protest continued until the early hours of this morning. 

Protesters allege that the confrontation occurred after police first deployed water cannon and tear gas to try and disperse them. 

A bus was set alight during the violence and several properties were also damaged. 

Our photographer Akila Jayawardana took these images this morning when police teams were deployed to carry out forensic examinations at the protesting site.