Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence taken over by protesters, crisis worsens

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was escorted to safety shortly before protesters, angered by an unprecedented economic crisis, stormed and overran the compound of his official residence. Huge crowds had surrounded the leader's home to demand his resignation. As protesters surged at the gates of the President's Palace, troops guarding the compound fired in the air to hold back the tide until Rajapaksa was safely removed.

Protesters carrying Sri Lankan flags gathered outside the president's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo | AP)