Sri Lanka crisis: As Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees, protesters enjoy president's luxury pool, try gym – in pictures

Protesters were seen partying at the presidential palace in Sri Lanka

Last updated: July 11, 2022 | 08:42

2 MIN READ

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Sri Lankans roamed through the ransacked presidential palace on Sunday as calm returned to Colombo a day after protesters stormed the building and forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to agree to resign.

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Furniture and artefacts were smashed, and some took the opportunity to frolic in its swimming pool. Members of the security forces, some with assault rifles, stood outside the compound but did not stop people going in.

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People crowd inside the Sri Lanka's presidential palace, in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors.

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People crowd inside the Sri Lanka's presidential palace, in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors.

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A man plays a piano inside the Sri Lanka's presidential palace, in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors.

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People take selfies at a swimming pool inside the presidential palace in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors. AFP

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People crowd inside the Sri Lanka's presidential palace, in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors.

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People crowd inside the Sri Lanka's presidential palace, in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors.

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A man stands in the swimming pool as people visit the President's house on the day after demonstrators entered the building, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo.

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A part of the private residence of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen after demonstrators burnt it during the protest, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka July 10, 2022.

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A demonstrator poses for photographs where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa used to hold main events at the President's house on the following day after demonstrators entered the building, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo,

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Protesters gather in and around the premisses of prime minister's official residence a day after it was stormed in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, July 10, 2022.

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People crowd inside the Sri Lanka's presidential palace, in Colombo on July 10, 2022, a day after it was overrun by anti-government protestors.

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