Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Violent protests erupt outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence

Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and a water canon to disperse several hundred people protesting near the private residence of the country’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The people had gathered to protest the economic hardships faced by them.

Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and a water canon to disperse several hundred people protesting near the private residence of the country’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The people had gathered to protest the economic hardships faced by them. (Photo | AP) 

Sri Lankans watch after setting a bus on fire during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankan army soldiers secure surroundings around Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence during a protest on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankans watch clashes between protesters and security officers outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

A Sri Lankan shouts anti-government slogans during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankan army soldiers secure surroundings of Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence during a protest on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankan police officers carry an injured officer during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankans carry a wounded protester during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Police uses water canon to disperse protesters during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

A Sri Lankan shouts anti government slogans during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankans shout anti government slogans after setting a bus on fire during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Sri Lankans riot during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Protesters run to take cover as police uses tear gas shells to disperse them during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

A Sri Lankan man shouts anti government slogans during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Protesters run to take cover as police uses tear gas shells to disperse them during a protest outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

A Sri Lankan policeman tries to disperse protesters outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

A protester tries to burn a bus outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the out skirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)

Police uses tear gas to disperse protestors outside Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private residence on the out skirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)