What you should know about the crisis in Sri Lanka, including the latest updates, what's next and remarkable images of protesters storming the PM's offices.
By KRISHAN FRANCIS and KRUTIKA PATHI, Associated Press COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka's president fled the country without stepping down Wednesday, plunging a country already reeling from economic chaos into more political turmoil. Protesters demanding a change in leadership then trained their ire on the prime minister and stormed his office.
Thousands of protesters — who had anticipated that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would be appointed acting president and wanted him gone— rallied outside his office compound and some scaled the walls. The crowd roared its support and tossed water bottles to those charging in. People are also reading… Dozens could later be seen inside the office or standing on a rooftop terrace waving Sri Lanka's flag — the latest in a series of takeovers of government buildings by demonstrators seeking a new government. Full story here:
Govt-and-politics Govt-and-politics EXPLAINER: What's happened and what's next in Sri Lanka Govt-and-politics A brief history of the rise, fall of Sri Lanka's president PHOTO GALLERY Photos: Scenes from the crisis in Sri Lanka Associated Press writer Bharatha Mallawarachi contributed to this report. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community.
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